Life of Pi

Ang Lee 2012

Multiculturalism, multireligion, multiadventure, multifable, multifact.  The twists and turns in the emotional and fantastic voyage of the life of Pissence….er, Pi Patel go beyond the imagination.  And then in the end we get an “alternate ending” provided by Pi himself, and the question that is posed for us is, “Which story do you prefer?”  Which is also a way of saying, “Which story to you believe?”

This film lived up to every expectation and more.  The SFX, the acting, music, the pace, the sheer beauty, CG or no, was incredible.  My children and I were captivated, moved, and yes, even frightened.  I must confess, this is the ONLY film that has actually made me yell out loud in fear.  I usually jump, take in a breath of air sharply, tense up, grab the chair arm, grab the knee of the person next to me and almost spill their pop or popcorn, but I’ve NEVER yelled out loud.

   

I refrain here from telling you at which point that happens because I am solidly against spoilers.  (I believe in craftily writing my way around spoilers in an attempt to make the story even MORE enticing - if I think it’s worth watching - and I write about very few films that I don’t like).  But yes, it was emotionally incredible, although that word does not really describe the filmed version of this story.  Although there are multiple effects and green screens and animations in the film, the story, the effects, and the outcome of the whole is totally believable, credible.  As Joanna Langfield of The Movie Minute has said, “Ang Lee has accomplished the impossible”.  Not only for making the incredible credible, but for making visual and realistic what would normally be impossible except via the imagination of the fable, the written story.  Visual feast is good. A magazine review stated, “The CG tiger was so real that it makes the Narnian Aslan look like a cartoon.”

The pacing was judicious as well, with plenty of time given to help the story develop via the dialogue with a would-be novelist in search of a story.  Great setup.

That’s the filmic part of it.  What of its dialogue with the heart?  Christianne Amanpour is currently presenting a series of biblical history shows entitled, “Back to the Beginning”, made for TV that are multi-religious, adroitly encompassing the crossover of 3 major faiths via the story of Abraham.  In the Life of Pi we are given such a tour and in such a way, seen through the eyes of a child and young man, that we cannot help but agree that God is a great wonder who is humbling, and real, but also not easily pinned down by our religious assertions.  In fact, Pi proves to us that the best approach to God is humility, and openness, with the eye towards being truthful and transparent.  Yes, and not just stopping there, as he discovers, but completely dissolved of the self, and absorbed.  The VietNam Veteran in Forrest Gump comes to mind as he yells from the top of the mast of the shrimp boat during the storm, only to discover that he still has a place in God, and comes to peace.  The difference between the Vet and Pi would be that Pi starts his journey from a seeking and submitting position, whereas the Vet in Gump is belligerent doubt.  Pi, himself, comes to peace and complete absorption in a great storm, welcoming the beauty of it, while the Vet in Forrest Gump yells into the wind of that storm, shaking his fist, “Is that the best you can do?”

Pi will shock you, enrapture you, and take you on his journey in such a way that you are compelled to leave your reality and join his for the brief period of 2 hours and 7 minutes, and you’ll not regret it.

5 stars