Documentary in which filmmaker Peter Rodger travels around the world and asks people the question 'what is God?' At first I wasn't terribly impressed with this film, I thought there was too much montage early on, and it didn't feel deep enough because there were so many different interviewees. But the movies whole point I think was to be something of a survey course on this question, and when you look at all of the people and religions presented in this film together, it really does become kind of a tapestry.
Interestingly and I think thankfully this film doesn't take a hard stand on its subject matter, it doesn't even insist that God exists, and several atheists and agnostics are interviewed. The film does advocate the not unreasonable proposition that the core teachings of all religions are pretty much the same and we should all learn to live together. Directer/writer/host Peter Rodger is a reasonable man, he doesn't come at his interviewees with disrespect, with the possible exception of one particularly dogmatic Muslim man.
The film does convey a sense of generous wonder about the multiplicity of perspectives on God in this world. As this film progressed it elicited in me a feeling of satisfaction that we as the human race even ask this question, contemplating the mysterious I think can raise the soul, though when we think we know the answer to everything it can destroy it. I also think this film found a good balance between its celebrity, scholarly, and everyday interview subjects. Though its not amazing I didn't expect this documentary to be as good as it was. Grade: B
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