Life Of Pi - Review

In the world of adapted novels there are those that are deemed impossible to bring to cinema, but in the past decade we've seen films that many never thought would make it to the big screen. The triumphs in these cases have been a result of dedication, not only to the development of special effects and filming technology, but to good storytelling. Life Of Pi has always been regarded as one of these unfilmable stories, so inevitably someone bravely took up the gauntlet, and who better than Ang Lee. Say what you like, but Ang Lee has always been a thought provoking film maker, even if you thought that Hulk was Marvels biggest misfire, you can't help but admire that Lee tried to buck the trend of boom and blast for the more psychological and intense look at the green meanie. With Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain in his portfolio, Ang Lee is one big hitter that doesn't stick to genres, but there are films that define careers and Life Of Pi I believe is that film.

Life Of Pi follows Pi Patel on an adventure, when a disastrous storm takes his family and life from him, and he is left on a life boat, with a lethal bengal tiger (named Richard Parker) for company. In a story that tests his will as well as his soul, he must try to survive alongside Richard Parker.

At the beginning of the film we are introduced to Pi as a middle aged man, through a visitor played by Rafe Spall (you'll remember him getting too friendly with a snake in Prometheus), an aspiring writer looking for his next story. Rafe Spall is our inquisition into the story, he's the person that we all can relate to. When asked by Pi what someone had told him he replies 'He said you had a story that would make me believe in God'. This scene is revisited as the story is told and highlights the main underlying metaphor once the plot reaches its conclusion, a tactfully used device that works well.

The following story has us follow Pi as he grows up, so by the time we are aboard the ship taking his fathers Zoo across the ocean, we already know Pi very well. The cinematography capturing the fantastic looking French India is breathtaking. Backed by a captivating soundtrack, the first act see's Pi tell his story of growing up and becoming fascinated with religion, and being giving lessons in the nature of animals. Ang Lee manages to do justice to the way children behave and think, a difficult move that has you engaged with the story so quickly.

The master stroke of the film is touched upon when Pi meets Richard Parker (the tiger) and how it deals with the nature of animals. The idea of the tiger as being ferocious and deadly is deftly incorporated into story, so you're under no illusion that this is some kind of Disney style fairy tale. However once the story aboard the life boat kicks off the elements of this being a rather unbelievable tale are uniquely twinned with this realistic approach to the behaviour of animals. This behaviour and the realism of this is realised so magnificently in the special effects used.

I was constantly agog at how incredible the CGI was in Life Of Pi, and more astonishingly at how the 3D was used to great effect. 3D and I have never been the best of friends, but for once the inclusion of it didn't bother me, it was great to see moments that not only didn't seem so pop up card style, but that jumped out at you or enhanced the depth of field with significance and style. It's hard to do that in a film and for it not to feel like a 'look at me I'm in 3D' moment. In the way that The Hobbit left me with a headache, Life Of Pi didn't seem to have that effect.

Saraj Sharma (Pi) is a revelation and as the heart and soul of this film he shines as he deals with his situation, sometimes with success and other times not so much. His interaction with what was probably nothing, on set, is believable and endearing. The journey Pi goes on speaks volumes at every chapter, and whenever he begins to feel control in this impossible situation, life throws him a curve ball, but the presence of Richard Parker gives him strength and purpose. 'Without Richard Parker, I'd be dead by now' he exclaims as he sits on his makeshift raft tied to the boat containing the killer tiger.

I became ensconced in the film and as the relationship between Richard Parker and Pi develops, you become drawn into the belief that out of such great adversity that a tiger could be tamed. The final act brings with it such a great resolution and a new understanding of the story, and whether you cottoned on or not it will leave you in the same position the Writer (Rafe Spall) ends up.

Doubtless, this is one of the finest films I've seen in a while, one that I would watch again, for it's vision and excellent story, that should resonate with all who watch it. As many have said, you just have to go and see it to believe it. It is only showing in 3D which it has been designed for, and with this great attention to a medium I have criticised, I can say it didn't hinder my enjoyment of this film, for once. A must see and a worthy contender for Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★