'The Matrix' Wasn't the Movie That Changed Keanu Reeves' Life, It Was This Drama: "It Was a Revelation"

The Matrix, John Wick, Speed, and Point Break made Keanu Reeves an action icon and a symbol of the invincible hero, idolized by millions.

However, if you ask Reeves which project had the most profound impact on him, he won't mention a big Hollywood hit but rather a completely different film: Bernardo Bertolucci's modest, meditative, and heartfelt drama.

Keanu Reeves Says Making 'Little Buddha' Was "Life-Changing" for Him

In an interview, Keanu Reeves admitted that working on Little Buddha was a true revelation, changing his professional life and worldview:

“For me, it was about working with Bertolucci and Storaro, and playing a role that I could not have possibly have imagined I'd be playing.”

This choice was not motivated by commercial success or critical acclaim, but rather by a personal, almost spiritual experience. Reeves traveled to the places he had never been before, and immersed himself in cultures completely foreign to him:

“I went to Bhutan and Kathmandu, and that whole experience was life-changing. I was introduced to a philosophy, a religion, a way of being, that I hadn't experienced before.”

He fondly recalls the Buddhist teachings he encountered on set, such as ideas about permanence, suffering, and being in the present moment.

What Is 'Little Buddha' About?

The plot unfolds on two parallel levels, intertwining the present day and ancient legend. In the present day, after the death of their teacher Lama Dorje, Buddhist monks embark on a search for his reincarnation.

Their journey leads them to three children: an American boy, a girl from a wealthy Indian family, and a street child from Kathmandu. The monks believe that Lama Dorje's spirit has incarnated in one of the children, who must undergo a series of trials to determine their identity.

Along with this story, we're immersed in the legend of Prince Siddhartha, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. We witness his transformation from a spoiled heir to a wealthy kingdom into the enlightened Buddha.

'Little Buddha' Is One of Bernardo Bertolucci's Underrated Masterpieces

Bernardo Bertolucci, one of Italy's greatest directors, approached Little Buddha with the utmost seriousness and respect for tradition.

He insisted on filming in the exact locations where the action took place: the Nepalese scenes were shot at the famous Boudhanath stupa, and the Bhutanese scenes were shot at the Rinpung Dzong fortress-monastery.

To ensure maximum authenticity, real Buddhist monks were brought in to advise the crew, some of whom appeared in the scenes. The Bhutanese lama Norbu played one of the roles and also served as a consultant, helping to ensure that all the rituals and traditions were observed correctly.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Little Buddha'?

• Little Buddha has 63% from critics and 53% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, Little Buddha scored 3.0/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Little Buddha'?

Little Buddha is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.