Salient points about the nature of food and culture are gently made, but the tone of the film is never preachy nor didactic, and the correlations between spiritual teaching and food make for a nice series of lessons learned.

| Aug 23, 2017

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 24, 2011

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 4, 2011

It gives one a good sense of the Zen experience in cooking.

| Original Score: B | Aug 26, 2009

...a charming but somewhat superficial portrait of Edward Espe Brown, Zen priest and cookbook author.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 19, 2008

What makes her film fascinating is the idea that this calm, centered man may be about to lose his grip.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 14, 2007

In How to Cook Your Life, Edward Espe Brown endearingly embodies one of Buddhism's guiding principles: a sense of humor about our arrogances and illusions.

| Dec 6, 2007

How To Cook Your Life is slow and gentle, and it sneaks up on you. It ain't War & Peace, but it is the sort of film you'll think about long after you leave the theatre.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 3, 2007

... more of a snack than a meal: Zen and the art of culinary simplicity as a temporary spiritual retreat.

| Original Score: B- | Nov 29, 2007

A tasty dish; but you'll be hungry again in an hour

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 17, 2007

A playful and enlightening documentary featuring Zen master and accomplished cook Edward Espe Brown with nourishing tips on food and paying attention.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 17, 2007

An unexpectedly charming and enlightening film.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 16, 2007

If you enjoy time spent in the kitchen, you may find some surprising enlightenment in Brown's observations.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 16, 2007

Doris Dorrie's loving portrait of Buddhist priest and chef Edward Espe Brown showcases his message that paying attention to the mundane processes of food production, preparation and consumption can be a gateway to larger spiritual revelations.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 16, 2007

Well-intentioned but lethargic.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 16, 2007

A jaunty mix of chanting, baking and spiritual uplift, How to Cook Your Life introduces us to the cooking classes of Edward Espe Brown, a twinkling Zen priest.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 16, 2007

A low-key but pleasant and thoughtful examination ... The film could use a lot more time in the kitchen.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 15, 2007

Cook and Zen priest Edward Brown is profiled in this documentary by German filmmaker Doris Dörrie (Men), who follows the witty, pleasant Brown as he offers cooking and life lessons in Buddhist retreats in Austria and California.

| Nov 15, 2007

Brown as a subject does sometimes intrigue and he even grows emotional, but this does not necessarily make him more endearing.

| Nov 13, 2007

The Zen priest who dominates the film as its talking head is laid-back to the point of being soporific and engages in speech mannerisms that could make even an adolescent hit the ceiling.

| Original Score: C | Nov 10, 2007