Life of Pi

Judging a book by its film commercial, “Life of Pi” is a boy and his tiger, on a lifeboat. The trailer shows beautiful displays of light and unparalleled CGI; all of which this has. What it doesn’t show is the profound nature of the film. “Life of Pi” is also a study of religion. Not just one religion, but all religions, from a very human perception, all at once beautiful and deceptive; with a little sleight of hand mixed in.

“No one knows God, until someone introduces us”

Because of its weighty religious undertones, “Life of Pi” may be repellant to some. Those with strong anti-belief sensibilities may not be as stunned by the film as those that are open to, at least the discussion of, a greater power. It should also be noted this film is non-secular; the protagonist himself studies Hinduism, Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam. Rather, Pi is an exercise into the root of the very tenets of faith. But that’s just a beautiful message.

“Welcome to Pi’s Ark”

The meat of the film centers on Piscine Patel, or “Pi” as he prefers to be called. Pi is a bright, inquisitive child, raised in Pondicherry, India; the son of an affluent family that oversees a Zoo in the city. As the story develops, Pi’s family has cause to relocate to Canada; choosing to do so by boat with several stops at port of call’s around the world to sell their animals along the way. This paves the way for the second and third acts of the film, the eventual seclusion on the lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, and ultimately the maturation and development of our character. To use the term ‘visually stunning’ would be insulting to the artists involved in the production of Life of Pi. The tiger alone, almost entirely CGI, is often times undistinguishable from a real animal. Created by multiple teams around the world, they are the same group responsible for the creation of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia series, and the evolution of their technology is apparent here. While Aslan was amazingly well done, the creatures and varied creations in this film are immaculate, to the level of hyperrealism.

“So, which story do you prefer?”

“Life of Pi” is told in interviewed retelling by the adult Piscine, reflecting on the events during his immigration to Canada. These are the events we see in the advertisements: a raft at sea, with 16-year-old Pi and a tiger. Through narration, Pi recounts his survival, while trapped at sea for 227 days, spanning from the Marianas Trench to the western border of Mexico. The viewer watches, as Pi keeps occupied with the tiger, keeping both himself and the massive beast alive; as well as an introspective look at their surroundings. Flying fish, massive whales, and photo-luminescent jellyfish all add an ethereal aura to their surroundings, and ultimately add an air of magical disbelief to the story. Based on the 2001 Novel of the same name, written by Yann Martel and directed by Ang Lee; Life of Pi is currently an Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, and Best Adapted Screenplay, having already won a Golden Globe for Best Original Score, as well as having been nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture. Prior to my viewing, Cloud Atlas held a top spot for my favorite film of 2012; after seeing Life of Pi, I’m not so sure.

Ang Lee has had a tumultuous relationship with American audiences. Largely introduced to US shores with 2000’s Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, another visually stunning work of art, Lee then went on to direct the generally disliked Hulk, from 2003 starring Eric Bana. While reviews of his film tend to be divisive at best (see 2005’s Brokeback Mountain), Life of Pi has been a major accomplishment, and has met with critical acclaim, and deservedly so. Life of Pi, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, and Gerard Depardieau has all but completed its theatrical run, but may be found in select theaters due to the award season; and will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray on March 12th, 2013