Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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72 of 76 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
WE ARE THE ONES FOR WHOM WE HAVE BEEN WAITING..., September 25, 2005
This is a low budget film, produced and directed by high budget, veteran film producer Stephen Simon, who is a co-founder of the Spiritual Cinema Circle, because he is interested in being involved in films that ask who we are and why we are here. The Spiritual Cinema Circle is intent upon paving the way for films that provide inspirational messages that uplift the lives of its viewers.
This film is one such film. It revolves around the relatively new phenomena known as "indigo children". Indigo, a color that falls somewhere between blue and violet, is said to be the color of the life aura that emanates from those with psychic ability. It is the color used in connection with children who have heightened sensitivities and emotional complexity. They are said to be able to communicate telepathically with others like them, and foresee events. Hence, the use of the term, "indigo children" has come into play when referring to these children. These indigo children, for the most part, have been born over the last ten years or so. Due to their psychic gifts, they are often misunderstood by others. Some believe that they have been sent by God to help right what has gone wrong in the world.
The film was co-written by self-styled Peace Troubadour James Twyman, the executive producer of the film, who is also the author of "Emissary of Light: A Vision of Peace", which chronicles his 1995 life defining experience in the mountains of Croatia. He co-wrote the "Indigo Children" script with Neale Donald Walsch, author of the best selling book, "Conversations with God", which spent about three years on the New York Times Best Seller List. Walsch also has a starring role in the film.
The film focuses on a family in crisis. Ray (Neale Donald Walsch) is the patriarch of this totally dysfunctional family. He appears to be a well-to-do real estate developer of some sort for whom environmental concerns are low on the totem pole of his priorities. He also appears to be under a great deal of pressure from his financial backers. When his business eventually goes belly up, Ray is estranged from both his son and his daughter. So, when his daughter gets herself into some trouble and eventually entrusts her special daughter, ten year old Grace, to his not so tender mercies, Ray will begin a spiritual journey that will take him full circle. Ray will not only learn that his granddaughter, Grace, is an "indigo" child, he will discover more about himself in the short time that he spends with her than he has in a lifetime.
This is a film that is conceptually interesting. The problem with its deficiencies lies primarily with the script. The story is simply not really well-fleshed out. The viewer may know that Ray's children are estranged from him, but the reasons later proffered in flashback somehow seem too insubstantial to account for the intense animosity. There are a number of subplots, as well, none of which are developed to the point of being particularly meaningful. Moreover, the way that the viewer is given an explanation of the phenomena of indigo children is terribly contrived. There is little finesse in the way that the film delivers its message. Moreover, there is an amateurishness about the film, overall.
Still, I thought Neale Donald Walsch was surprisingly good in the role of Ray, as he looked quite patriarchal. He infused the role with a great deal of credibility and was totally believable. The viewer cannot help but feel for him, which is why it is hard to believe the animosity that his son, daughter, and former wife harbor for him. The actress who plays ten year old Grace, Meghan McCandless, does what she can with the way that her pivotal role is written. It is a very two dimensional portrayal, as she exhibits none of the complexities often associated with indigo children. This lies more in the way in which her role was written, however, rather than any deficiencies on her part.
Notwithstanding some of the film's shortcomings, it is a film that has its interesting moments. The concept of psychic gifts is not grounded here in science fiction but rather, in spirituality, which is an intriguing way to look at such. The film also does have some life affirming moments, as Ray engages in self-realization about some of the choices he has made in life. This is a film that was an Official Selection of the Durango and the Ashland Film Festivals. It was also an Official Selection of the Santa Fe Film Festival, where it received the Audience Choice Award. This is a film that is worth a rental, if one is interested in the concept of "indigo children".
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137 of 155 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Important Message, April 5, 2005
I gave this movie a 5 star to balance of those bad reviews (1 stars - JEEZ). I persume that these harsh reviewers may be a bit discontented from their hearts and want to keep everything everso logical. Well, guess what, the time of reason is a'changing, and even though this movie does not boom with celebrated movie stars or a famous director, it has a sweet innocense that is rarely seen in mainstream movies. Made with a modest $500,000 budget, I feel that the creators behind this work wanted to do good and I am glad someone finally tried to do something on the topic of indigo children. For those who simply DON'T BELIEVE in these kids, I have personally seen many of them and don't doubt at all. And no, they don't all have attention deficit disorder. Look in their eyes and open your hearts and perhaps it will lead you beyond your analytical side of your brain. It is definately a film worthwhile a look, even if it doen't have OSCAR written all over it! So, there you have it!! Enjoy!
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39 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An extremely important film., March 27, 2005
Indigo was written and produced based on the actual experiences of James Twyman with Indigo Children. Mr. Twyman is an informed and interesting spiritual leader and has produced several important courses involving sppirituality and now his experiences with actual Indigo children. He wrote the film to introduce people to these remarkable kids and their message to mankind. Not a wealthy man, many of the subscribers to his writings donated much of the money to get the project started. He was fortunate to have a Director of the caliber of Steven Simon to work on this and another spiritual giant - Neale Donald Walsh" to be a part of this undertaking. It is a film that everyone should see to have in idea of what these children represent. Their message is for the good of all people and whether you believe it or not, maybe it's time to look at the message and not the messenger. Twyman laid everything he had on the line to produce a work to carry an important message, regardless of sacrifice and should be applauded. If a couple of million dollars more were available it could have been a little fancier, but not better. The film was (I believe) the most viewed opening world premier of any independent film this year - Certainly worth another look by the skeptics. An important message of where we are going and where we are not!!
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