Bardo Blues is a film set in Thailand, following the journey of a man named Jack, played by Stephen McClintic, as he seeks to escape his past and find a new path in life. The film explores themes of loss, redemption, and the search for meaning in life. The movie opens with Jack wandering through the streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a haunted look in his eyes. It is clear from the start that he is running away from something, but we are not sure what. He soon finds himself at a Buddhist retreat, where he meets a cast of characters that will play significant roles in his journey.
One of these characters is Mae, played by Marcia Kimpton, a wise and compassionate woman who runs the retreat. Mae recognizes that Jack is struggling with something and takes him under her wing. She introduces him to meditation, encourages him to practice yoga, and offers him a sense of community that he has been lacking.
Another significant character is Vanya, played by Gina Haining, a beautiful and mysterious woman who Jack is immediately drawn to. Vanya has her own demons to face, but the chemistry between her and Jack is palpable. They begin a tentative romance that is both healing and tumultuous.
Throughout the film, we learn more about Jack's past and the events that have led him to Thailand. We see flashbacks of his life in New York City, where he was a successful businessman with a wife and child. But something happened that caused him to lose everything, and he has been unable to move on.
As Jack spends more time at the retreat, he begins to have powerful visions and experiences that challenge his sense of reality. He starts to see ghosts and receive messages from beyond the grave. He also has vivid dreams that seem to offer him insight into his past and future.
The film takes its name from the concept of the bardo, a term from Tibetan Buddhism that refers to the intermediate state between death and rebirth. Jack is in his own personal bardo, trying to come to terms with his past and find a way to move forward. The movie uses the bardo as a metaphor for the struggles we all face in life, as we try to find our place in the world.
One of the most striking things about Bardo Blues is its stunning cinematography. The film takes full advantage of its beautiful setting, capturing the lush landscapes of Thailand in all their glory. The camera work is often dreamlike, with slow pans and soft focus that enhance the otherworldly feel of the story.
The acting in the movie is also noteworthy. Stephen McClintic delivers a nuanced and heartfelt performance as Jack, conveying the character's pain and confusion with subtlety and depth. Marcia Kimpton is excellent as Mae, radiating warmth and wisdom in every scene. And Gina Haining brings a raw vulnerability to her portrayal of Vanya, making her a complex and captivating character.
Overall, Bardo Blues is a thoughtful and engaging film that explores some of the big questions of life. It is a meditation on loss and redemption, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope and healing are possible. If you are looking for a movie that will make you think and feel, this one is definitely worth a watch.
Bardo Blues is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.
