Seven Years in Tibet

Seven Years in Tibet is an ambitious film with stunning cinematography and a haunting musical score. However, its execution leaves much to be desired. The movie’s pacing is uneven, with the first half covering six years in a hurried, disjointed manner, and the second half dragging over a much shorter period. This results in poor and choppy editing without clear transitions, making it difficult for viewers to follow the passage of time. One moment we're expected to realise that two years have passed, and the next scene might jump another few months, leaving the narrative feeling rushed and fragmented.

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Brad Pitt portrays Heinrich Harrer, an initially unlikable character who undergoes a transformation over the course of the film. Pitt can pass as Austrian in looks only as he fashions a bleached blonde hairdo. His attempt at an Austrian accent is distracting and inconsistent, making it hard to fully engage with his character. His narration, which could have benefitted from subtitles, further detracts from the immersion.

The Tibetan characters, portrayed by actors speaking perfect English, add another layer of dissonance. While this choice may have been made to cater to a 1997 audience, it sacrifices authenticity and can be jarring for viewers. Despite these shortcomings, the film offers breathtaking visuals of the Tibetan landscape and a stirring score that captures the mystique and beauty of the region. These elements alone make it worth watching, inspiring curiosity about Tibet and its history.

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However, considering that this is based on a true story, the film falls short of being compelling or well-told. The lack of depth in the narrative and the miscasting of the lead role contribute to its failure to fully engage the audience. David Thewlis delivers a solid performance as Harrer's companion, Peter Aufschnaiter, and the supporting cast adds value, but they are not enough to save the film from its flaws.

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