God & Buddha:a Dialogue With D

The dinner itself takes place at a nondescript Indian restaurant on Manhattan's Upper East Side, but really this is a dialogue that transcends time and place. This film could have even taken place at an Italian trattoria in NYC's Hell's Kitchen, for instance. Nevertheless, God and Prince Gautama Siddhartha, or "Buddha" as is his nickname, playfully pour over their existence, their followers, and the quirks of the natural world from the red vinyl booths of The Banyan Tree. All the while, baba ghanooj, lamb vindaloo, and a seemingly endless basket of naan are dutifully trotted out by their attentive waiter (Kurt Cobain in an uncredited role).

There are no sacred cows in their conversation. Buddha, for instance, sheepishly admits that there was indeed a Fifth Noble Truth that went even beyond his Fourth state of complete spiritual transcendence that he was going to call the "Infinity Plus One Nirvana" Truth before deciding to edit it out later. The embarrassed look on his face when God smugly utters "yeah, I knew that already" is one of the more delightful moments in the movie. Another key sequence provides the only true action of the movie. When Buddha claims that he truly "loves this lamb more than anything ever!", he soon finds himself choking before a perturbed God reluctantly gives him the Heimlich manuever. God caustically informs him that lamb that spicy will burn a earthly soul like his just as bad on the way out as it does on the way in. Some of the other topics that God and Buddha share their thoughts on include self-actualization, primal fear, and what ever happened to the cast of "The Facts of Life," particularly the mortal who played the role of Tootie. Fascinating material to be sure. Who picks up the tab might surprise some, but rest assured that neither party leaves The Banyan Tree with any trace of hunger or desire for greater material absorption. Then again, both sat down in exactly this same state.

Though the scene where God patronizingly toys with the wine steward (Jesus Christ) is somewhat unnecessary, this is still an extraordinary film, one that should be owned in order to gain a greater understanding of the cosmos. "God and Buddha: A Dialogue" is truly a landmark film and will have a lasting effect far greater than anything being Created in Hollywood today.