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Monday, December 3, 2012

Life of Pi

Life of Pi is a film about so much more than its title suggests. Sure, at its core, it is the story of an adult man telling the unbelievable story of his childhood, and how he spent seven and a half months on a lifeboat with a tiger after being shipwrecked. But beyond that, it’s a film about resurgence. And loss. And regret, and love. In short, it’s a film about life, period. We’re just privy to it through the narrative of one old wise man.

Shortly after Ang Lee’s magical film begins, Pi Patel (Irfan Khan, who is, as always, perfect here) begins telling his life story to a Canadian writer (Rafe Spall), in hopes of igniting an inspirational spark that seems to have left the writer. Pi begins by describing his life in India – how he was a precocious young man who quickly became dedicated to Hindu, Christianity and Islam all at the same time. How his father owned a zoo, but elected to move their family to Canada when political strife wrecked their homeland. And how, for reasons unknown, the Japanese freighter carrying his family, their zoo animals, and several other people across the world, mysteriously sunk, leaving only Pi and a handful of animals to fend for themselves.
That’s the first act in a nutshell, and it’s fair to be concise because, quite frankly, Life of Pi doesn’t come alive until Pi (played by newcomer Suraj Sharma, in a fearless, unforgettable performance) is fighting for his life.

And believe me, as well as any film this year, Life of Pi is completely and utterly alive. The engrossing, atmospheric 3D I chose to view the film in helped, but that’s just a gimmick. At its heart, this film tells as honest and gut wrenching a story of survival as I can recently recall. The fact that it does this with a PG rating and in nearly two hours only adds to it’s marvel.

Quickly after the accident, Pi learns that the lifeboat isn’t fully his. I’m not going to go into detail about the other animals on board, because watching their interactions together results in some of the finest filmmaking I’ve seen all year. Those sequences are presented nearly word free, and they deserve to stay that way in critical form.

Pi’s most steadfast passenger is Richard Parker, a ferocious Bengal tiger who asserts his dominance early, which Pi is forced to slowly level out over time. And that, in a very crude sense, is your movie.
I’ve heard mixed things about Yann Martel’s source novel. “Unadaptable” is the word most frequently tossed around. Others include everything from “lifeless,” to “best selling brilliance.” I haven’t read it, so I can’t comment. But what I can say is that for a film that relies so heavily on visual imagery and transparent metaphor, Ang Lee has created something truly special. From the minute Pi found himself in trouble on board, to the cuing of the first end credit, I was wholly enthralled. My greatest fear for the film – that it would ceaselessly crosscut Pi telling his story in the present, to him living it in the past – was wisely ignored. They knew precisely when to go back, and exactly when to stay put.

From a visual standpoint, there’s no arguing the film’s accomplishments. It tells its story through the wonderment of a colorful sunset, and the horror of grey ocean waters, and it tells it well. I’ve heard idle banter that events depicted in the movie aren’t plausible, and that people are left wanting the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. To that note, I’ll use Pi’s own words as a means of reassurance. “If it happened, it happened. Why should it mean anything?” A-

18 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous, eloquent review, Alex! I'm still on the fence about whether to read and/or watch this.

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    1. Aw thanks so much Stephanie! That was really kind to say. It was a very nice film, but there are some other things in the theater right now that I'd recommend above it.

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  2. Great review. I saw this yesterday with Killing Them Softly. This was the better film as it's already somewhere in the middle of my favorite films by Ang Lee as he will be my first Auteurs subject for 2013.

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    1. Thanks man. I agree, this was a superb Lee film. Can't wait for your Auteurs profile on him.

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  3. Good review Alex. It's a beautiful film, but something did feel a bit off in terms of storytelling. Maybe that ending had us all reach-out a bit too farther than I expected, but it was still a ride I didn't mind taking, even if the ending makes you forget about that for a bit.

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    1. Thanks Dan! I alluded to it in my review, but yeah, I agree that the first act was a tad slow. But once the wreck happened, it became a great movie. I really enjoyed it.

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  4. Excellent review! A-/B+ for me. The scenes where Pi and Richard are lost at sea were terrific, but the rest of the film didn't grab me. Still, the boat scenes were phenomenal. A solid film, all things considered.

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    1. Nice, and thanks man! I agree that the film didn't soar when it wasn't at sea, but damn... the shipwrecked scenes were remarkable. Really groovy flick.

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  5. Great review!
    I loved the way it looked and admire the ambition v. much. But yeah, the story was a bit underwhelming, especially due to the ending. Still glad I caught it.

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    1. Thanks! Very ambitious picture for sure. The scenes on the ocean really did feel alive to me, but yeah, on shore, it didn't fly as well. Still a good one though.

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  6. Had you read the book by any chance prior to watching the film?

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    1. No sir. But I mentioned in my review that I heard everything from "unadaptable" to "lifeless" to "brilliant."

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    2. Horrible reading on my behalf! Don't know how I missed the opening line of that paragraph.

      I think the unadaptable comes from the philosopophical inner-monologues throughout the book.

      How do you feel this stands up for a Cinematography nod from the Academy?

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    3. Oh really? Wow, that's a damn shame. I was actually wondering if those inner 'logues were in the book, and if so, how well they were pulled off.

      I think this has as good a shot as any for Cinematography. Wally for TDKR and Greig Fraser for Zero Dark Thirty will give it some stiff competition. And Cloud Atlas. Maybe.

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  7. Wonderful review Alex! This has been on my radar for a long time, and ever since I saw the trailer, I was sold! I keep hearing it is visually amazing and that is why I can't wait to see it soon!

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    1. Thanks, D! The visuals are literally stunning, like... wow. I wonder if seeing it in 2D would take away from its power (it was easily one of the finest 3D experiences I've ever had). Be curious to read your review!

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  8. Awesome review! I'm finally seeing this on Tuesday - so excited!
    It's my favourite book of all time.

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    1. Thanks so much! Favorite book huh? I've heard such mixed things from people about that book. Either way, movie definitely didn't disappoint for me.

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