The Celestine Prophecy

I've had the pleasure to watch this film four times, and I've enjoyed each viewing more than the last. Having read the book twice - once 11 years ago and once two months ago - I feel that the movie did an admirable job of expressing the essence and heart of the book, while keeping it within 100 minutes and palatable for the average movie viewer.

It is clearly not a polished, big-budget film, and yet it attracted many well-known and respected actors. It addresses issues of power and control in relationships, religion, and politics in a fresh and contemporary way. To me, its greatest accomplishment is bringing a New Spirituality perspective to screen - where humans are not disconnected beings in a random universe, nor sinners subject to the wrath of an angry God, but are one with everything and are co-creators of their experience of life.

I suggest you will get the most from this film by looking at it not as a blockbuster, but as a paradigm-buster.

Happy viewing!

For me, it is a seductive invitation for read the book. because it is too difficult to give the right adaptation for "The Celestine Prophecy". and, if you do not read the book, all is reduced at noble message and gorgeous images. but it is more. this is the lead motif for who I am not convince to compare the book and its adaptation. becaus, director,, actors, cinematography , each, together are parts from an admirable project and it is a big mistake to pretend more. the choice is your - a real usefull book and a beautiful film. as pieces of the same thing. who has many opportunities. to change yourself.

Although this movie captures the essence of the book and illustrates a very important message, it does not really bring more than the book. However for those who did not read the book (hello... someone?), it may be an incentive to do so and to discover a new way to look at the world and at oneself.

In spite of a good realization, the film does not stir your soul or even draw a little tear. It is a mind-boggling story and as with the book, many people will follow the hero and find out they can easily identify with him. Unfortunately, the movie targets your mind when it should target your heart. You look at this incredible story with a detached mind and at the end, you may be tempted to say "so what" ?

People interested in the whole "Celestine philosophy" should see it but I recommend renting the DVD.

John Woodsen (Matthew Settle) a history teacher finds himself out of a job. He runs into an old friend that intrigues him with a story of a great historical find in Peru. All of a sudden, he gets a pamphlet about Peru and finds a last-minute canceled seat to Peru. Think something is happening here? Yet, it is just the beginning of an adventure.

Seems that no one wants to tell him or us what it is all about until we experience it. What we find is insightful but at the cost of having to listen to boring stilted dialog and people that look like druggies.

The book though interesting is that it does not contain any unique ideas. The writing is nominal but is designed to put you in a different view of reality. The problem came when trying to express this in the visual media. If you had not read the book first the storyline and purpose are hard to follow as they spend more time implying than explaining.

James Redfield was clearly over his head as a screenwriter but at least he was honest. His mistake was recruiting Barnet Bain who botched "What Dreams May Come" (1998) to help botch "The Celestine Prophecy" (2006). Strange but I imagined that John Woodsen would be much older and better-rounded. Maybe there will be a sequel as it has been set up in this film.

It was about 10 years ago when I came across the book and not by chance, it literally fell into lap. It was one of the best books I had ever read. That said I waited years for the movie with high expectations. I ordered the DVD as soon as it was available and eagerly watched it with friends. Unfortunately the movie failed on several aspects! As the movie progressed I found myself pausing the movie frequently to explain to those who had not read the book what was going on. The movie seemed to skim quickly over some of the insights without proper explanation which caused me to loose track as to which insight was being discussed in the movie. On a whole I felt the characters were well portrayed and acted, but was let down by a crammed script. I believe this should have been made into a mini series for TV allowing it to take full advantage of the character development and proper explanation of the insights.

Not bad if you have read the book... but if you haven't forget it!