Becoming Nobody

Some of us have no idea how important this documentary is for people like me. We, the weirdos who give up their comfortable life to embrace the unknown. We, the ones who can't stand a minute longer not knowing who we really are and what life is about. Life will teach you lessons no matter what you do and some lessons are so painful that sometimes only death seems the real way out. Ram Dass is not your usual guru, he had a life just like you and I. During his journey of self discovery, he had the courage to explore the effects of lsd on himself and others thus jeopardising his position as a respected psychology professor at Harvard University. I am Italian, born in 1967 in Italy and raised there. The first time I watched this documentary I thought - Ram Dass and Timothy Leary made history with their discoveries, why there's no mention of them in history books? -. I had to learn the names of war-oriented individuals from history books while those who truly made a huge positive impact on humanity by spreading their light and love had been deliberately left out by main stream media and education. Dear Jamie, thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the truth. I have already watched this documentary several times as a reminder that there's more to life that meets the eye. The first time I watched it, I was feeling suicidal due to a sudden illness which has disabled me and the message in the documentary is so powerful that it gave me the courage and faith to keep on living but most importantly: I am not alone!

While an interesting subject, the director/interviewer (Catto) seemed more interested in inserting himself into the narrative of Ram Dass instead of providing an insightful dive into Ram Dass' teachings.

The hypocrisy of Catto's ever present ego on film felt at odds with the true spiritual teachings of Ram Dass. Nevermind that 50% of this film was random stock footage hap-hazardly laid over narration.

Stock footage is an ok tool, but when it has nothing to do what's shown on screen it leaves the audience wondering if they're watching a real movie or an amateur's college term project.

Not a bad movie but not much more than a retreading of all those "vaguely eastern" philosophies that any westerner living (or becoming alive) after the New Age movement of the 70s west has heard before. Again, it's not a bad thing - sometimes you need to hear those things again and sometimes there's a hidden gem that particularly resonates with you.

Perhaps the director should have decided to lean more into making either a documentary of eastern philosophies or a love-letter to Ram Dass. The middle-of-the-road approach doesn't particularly deliver in either aspect, seems superficial and may, in fact, be a detriment to the man himself, even though the guy manages to exude a fair amount of charm and charisma despite the movie's shortcomings.

I feel two ways about this film

The first, I was happy for the opportunity to get a quick glimpse in to how Ram Dass spent his last days in Maui, I liked seeing his gnarled hand and wheel chair because I realized the pain he must have been in constantly and how he overcame that.

However I feel this film was the producer's ego trip, I spent many moments wondering who this person was sitting with Ram Dass telling him that his (filmmaker's) theories were "much more advanced" than what Ram Dass was saying. I found the filmmaker to be a cringe worthy hanger-on type. He was not identified and it was perplexing as to what the hell he was doing there in the middle of the film. And yet Ram Dass saw him and verbalized to him that he could not see himself for who he truly is, which was beautiful. Compassion.

I saw the clips of Ram Dass were edited so he always spoke immediately and clearly, I would have preferred to see him in his true state, long silences and struggling with the aftermath of his stroke but still shining through. His humility was lost in this film in this way, as well as his real point.

I found myself caught up in the visual film clips played while Ram Dass's old lectures were played, to the point that it distracted away from what he was saying.

This film was not what I had hoped and I feel that it is not an accurate legacy of Ram Dass's life and that one would be better served listening to his lectures on youtube, or where ever they can find.

I feel a void left because there does not seem to be anyone as eloquent as him to carry on his legacy. He is not gone, true, but his work touched so many people and the real loss is we do not have the authentic human being that was himself here now.

This is a very easy and interesting watch. Contrary to some reviews here I don't think the director gets in the way at all. Ram Dass is quite frail at the time of filming and to get more out of him Director Jaime Catto needs to engage a bit. As soon as Ram Dass is talking the director backs off and lets us listen.