Sadhana--The Path to Enlightenment

Marcel Poulin is "the seeker" in this docudrama, a dark haired twentysomething French Canadian who journeys through India in search of himself. The film follows his travels as he inexplicably links up with various sadhus, ascetics who renounce all material possessions and wander in search of truth. Although the cinematography is beautiful and a Vangelis-like soundtrack frequently surfaces to remind us of the "seriousness" of Marcel's quest, the film is oddly unaffecting. I never penetrated Marcel's silence and detachment, nor was I swept away by the odd ramblings of the "wise" men he encounters. Marcel rarely articulates deeper reasons for being in India, or his personal feelings in the moment. His only real human reaction comes after attempting to follow his guru into the Ganges during a festival. He remarks, "I feel ridiculous, and no matter how Holy this water may be, it's freezing!" This honest comment is one of the few in a program lacking the ring of truth. Marcel's assertion that he no longer feels "like a stranger, I'm comfortable with these people" is belied as we see that his orange polystyrene backpack has a large padlock on it. I asked myself, how can you renounce all material possessions while trying to make a film of yourself becoming an ascetic with a backpack and a master lock on it? Alas, swami, my question was not answered. Not a necessary purchase. Aud: C, P. (R. Ray)