 "5-Star Review by America's Spiritual Reviewer" | 2009-10-29 |
| - Reviewed By spiritualreviewer |
| Fierce Grace is an autobiographical documentary about Ram Dass (a/k/a Richard Alpert), a spiritual pioneer and leader. His book, "Remember, Be Here Now" was a catalyst in the great awakening that has been unfolding in our world since the 1970's, and is still selling strong at amazon.com. We see Ram Dass through all phases of his life: as a charming priveleged youngster, as an elite professor at Harvard, as an LSD experimenter with Timothy Leary, and as a dedicated disciple of an Indian guru. Now an aging baby boomer, Ram Dass tells his story from the perspective of someone who's in long-term recovery from a serious, life-altering stroke. His willingness to be "stroked" and to use the event as inspiration to continue to work on self and to expand his spiritual awareness is compelling. I highly recommend Fierce Grace to all stroke victims, to anyone on a spiritual path and to young people who are curious about an authentic, non-Hollywood version of the hippie movement and the love that created it. |
| |
| "Fantasic Film" | 2009-04-08 |
| - Reviewed By pfratianni |
| For the Spiritual Seeker this is am exemplary film. You can really see the progression of Ram Dass throughout the film and the relation between suffering and spiritual growth. There are also some very touching scenes of people conveying how Ram Dass touched their lives. Some of these people have gone through incredibly difficult experiences making his love even more special. |
| |
| "consciousness raising" | 2008-09-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1YBMAJLRSVG7D |
| This DVD was a sensitive exploration into adversity, how it can impact on our lives, and yet how we can view it from a spiritual perspective and gain greater awareness of how we can transcend the challenges and move through the process. Ramm Dass, a great teacher and learner from life, satisfies again the point between poignancy and clarity. |
| |
 "Maybe an unfilmable subject . . ." | 2008-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By rockysquirrel |
Knowing the younger Ram Dass from recordings of his talks to devoted and appreciative audiences, I was familiar with an immensely articulate and affective advocate of Eastern spirituality - able to speak with a familiar voice and an accessible vocabulary about a subject that goes beyond language and reason. What is disappointing about this film is how post-stroke aphasia has affected the man's ability to speak so clearly, precisely, and eloquently. Watching the film, I kept thinking that the film's editors were making him seem more articulate than he now is.
I gather from those who speak highly of Ram Dass that you literally have to *be there* with him to fully grasp the impact of his presence as a teacher. A lengthy scene at the end of the film records a session with a young woman who comes to him for help dealing with the violent death of a dear friend. The camera attempts to capture what transpires during that meeting, but I think it's very difficult to tell to what extent the force of his presence (given his difficulty with language) has in the situation. It may have been profound or superficial - it's really hard to tell for sure, and that is, I think, a problem with the film.
Others here have blamed the filmmakers, and I don't know if that criticism is fair. The medium of film, with its attention to surfaces, is handicapped in dealing with a subject like this. I would recommend this film only for people who are already fans of Ram Dass. And if you are older, don't look for much insight into aging. To that extent, the film shows him at a reading of a new book about this subject, and if you aren't troubled too much by the obvious role played by his editor (which we see in one scene), you may find the book more illuminating than this film. |
| |
| "BRILLIANT!" | 2007-04-12 |
| - Reviewed By jwelshon |
| This is one of the most moving and meaningful documentaries I have ever seen. Mickey Lemle has done a magnificent job of blending all of the significent aspects of Ram Dass' life together into a beautiful tapestry that is at once touching, profound, insightful, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Ram Dass' characteristic willingness to be totally vulnerable, open, and honest, to explore the spiritual challenges inherent in the after-effects of his life-changing stroke, and to continue to share his own magical blend of extraordinarily wise, compassionate spiritual truths is refreshing, delightful, and heart-warming. BRAVO! Thank you for creating this precious gem! |
| |
| "Ram Dass Fierce Grace" | 2007-04-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: ANZVIPM7HHLW7 |
| Very inspirational with highs and lows. Great for any person who has had a stroke. I totally enjoyed it. Recommended |
| |
International Available
