A remarkable story

I was first introduced to the Life of Pi by Yann Martel in high school. I remember being forced to read a passage from the book as I chomped at the bit in boredom, waiting for the bell to mark the end of the lesson … so it’s only natural that when I heard a film was being made, I didn’t know how to react.

However, I must have matured over the years because Life of Pi is truly a remarkable story of adventure, despair and hope. I just wish director Ang Lee had made me see it earlier.

Lee’s visual wizardry and some powerful performances by unknown actors give the story the depth it deserves. Being known for his dramatic imagery like that in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, he once again excels in providing a captivating work of art.

The movie revolves around Pi Patel, a young Indian boy of many faiths (Hindu, Christianity and Islam) who often and rather amusingly butts heads with his more pragmatic father.

In the beginning viewers are introduced to an older Pi (Khan), the protagonist of the film, who is being interviewed by a burned out writer in search of an inspiring tale.

As he begins to narrate his life story, he promises it would make the writer (and the audience) believe in God, introducing another key premise in the story – spirituality.

The younger Pi (Gautam Belur) leads a fantastical life in a small town in India where his family resides in a zoo that is owned by his father.

But the amusing and heartwarming introduction gradually turns into a tale of turmoil, but one filled with magic and fantasy.

Teenager Pi’s (Sharma) life seems to have taken a turn for the worst when he has to leave his house and his girlfriend behind after his family, wishing to escape India’s political turmoil, decides to move to America, where they would sell their animals.

But little did he know that it was just the tip of the iceberg.

The freighter, carrying Pi’s entire family and zoo animals, is caught in a freak storm, leaving him as the lone human survivor.

Left with just one lifeboat, an injured zebra, a tame orangutan, a shrieking hyena – and not to forget a Bengal Tiger, named Richard Parker, Pi must fight for survival.

He spends 227 days shipwrecked with the tiger and must fend as well as save himself from Parker. Eventually he realises he can’t get rid of him and must instead take care of him, so he helps the tiger hunt for food and stay alive.

The audience is treated to some amazing cinematography, with a mix of CGI and real life filming as well as the help of perhaps the best 3D format in film history (I would normally not agree with the 3D aspect) the audience is taken on a visually fantastic voyage. A shipwreck, a jellyfish/whale scene and carnivorous island are all ones to watch out for.

Newcomer Sharma delivers a powerful performance, showcasing perfectly the passion that the story demands. But he is possibly overshadowed by another revered character who has an equally, if not more, strong presence in the movie – the Bengal Tiger. Again, Lee’s use of CGI and some real shots of the tiger never fail to deliver and are absolutely breathtaking and stunningly realistic.

However, this is also perhaps where the film falls short as Pi’s relationship with God – given his next to impossible struggle for survival – takes the back seat and the man-beast relationship is brought to the fore. I was expecting more of a spiritual journey as, in the end, it reverts to this subject and the viewers are faced with the question of faith.

The movie is perhaps not suited for those uncomfortable with the subject of religion and spirituality. But one this is for sure: I’m a convert – of 3D films.