You may not have heard that ‘Life of Pi’ has been a literary sensation by Yann Martel for a number of years prior to this film’s highly anticipated release. I am confident that not one of the leagues of book fans will be disappointed with this visual delight and completely charming film kept safe in thestrong Academy Award carrying hands of Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon).
Here is an incredible (and I mean that literally) tale of one man’s crucible, stranded out at sea at the mercy of heaven, the elements and Bengal Tiger companion Richard Parker. SurajSharma and Irrfan Khan, both in the title role as boy and man respectively, have audience’s emotions in their subtle grip for what becomes a visual effects effort of huge proportions. Big props go also to Kavan Ahalpara and Rhythm & Hues for their place in the piece.
The struggle of protagonist Piscine Molitor, nicknamed Pi, is one as outlandish as it is heartbreaking; stranded with only wild animals for company trying to survive on what rations he can keep to himself and retain his sanity, all the while developing both courage and compassion he never knew he had in his relationship with the tiger. Amazing natural encounters abound as the story is invariably narrated by the adult Pi, telling it to a disillusioned writer (Rafe Spall).
What Lee has managed to create is indelible: a story full of charm that manages to be as deep, spiritual and vast as the ocean scenes featured, but also innocent and saccharine sweet. I wonder if some indulgences were taken with the charm,scene overlays and repeated use of imagery, although the film did lend itself to sweeping scapes and illustrious nature sequences (I mean it’s Ang Lee!). There’s also one heck of a storm scene, the likes of which I have not been moved by since The Little Mermaid.
When the happy ending was finally reached, I did have to wonder what the movie was actually about, and will likely look to the novel for clarification-which was probably Lee’s design from the beginning. Although the message of having faith in the verity of fantasy was clear, was the real take-home about the lesson of saying goodbye? Or was it about the beauty of deliverance after surrender? Or perhaps it simply was a story about one young man’s relationship with a wild animal whilst trapped on high seas. Perhaps the message is ours to sort from the shipwreck. Undeniably a beautiful piece of work to be seen in big screen (and nice to see the 3D got right!).
4/5 STARS
Bring a loved one. And the tissues. If you liked Eat Pray Love, you’ll find this much better.
Related articles
More News
