When a master story teller Ang
Lee (Academy award winning director) tells a story of triumph of human spirits,
one is sure of witnessing a journey never seen before. With his new magnum
opus “Life of Pi” based on the book of the same name by Yann Martel, Ang Lee takes us into the world of Pi Patel
and his unforgettable journey.
Narrated in flashback by now
mature Piscine Molitor Patel (Irrfan Khan) to an author sent by his uncle, the
story is of a boy nicknamed as Pi Patel who lives in Pondicherry with his
family. Often confused and curious about things around him, Piscine gets very
much interested in finding meaning of life through different religions. His
eccentricities worries his father who owns a Zoo. Due to political constraints his
father decides to sell the Zoo Animals in Canada to start a new life. Not too
happy with this decision Pi Patel with his family and animals boards a Japanese
ship on the voyage to Canada. Unfortunately after 4 days in the journey the
ship meets with a mighty storm and sinks. Pi Patel however survives in a
lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a royal bengal tiger named
Richard Parker.
The boy's struggle of survival
begins from here. Stranded in a boat in mid pacific with a ferocious tiger and
a fearsome hyena, Pi's faith in god is tested to the limits. After a few days
the hyena kills the zebra and the orangutan and finally gets eaten by the
tiger. Now, Pi shares the boat with Richard Parker. During the struggle to
survive they forms a complicated relationship of fear, love, trust and
cooperation. Finally after 227 days of being castaway their boat reaches to a
Mexican shore where the tiger escapes into the jungle and Pi is rescued by the
locals. What happens during their adventurous journey is a nothing less than a
visual spectacle of another level.
Like Avatar, Ang Lee in Life of
Pi has used the 3D technology to its optimum level. The sequences of storm,
sunshine after the storm, a full moon night in the sea, the swimming pool in
France and many other are breath taking and reaches the zenith of surrealism.
Each frame looks a like a master piece of art work. The animated tiger used in most of the
sequences is unbelievably real and its the art of animation at its best.
A decent start cast of Irrfan
Khan (mature Pi) and Tabbu (young Pi's mother) and newcomer Suraj Sharma
(playing the main protagonist of young Pi) gives credible performances. Irrfan
Khan like is usual self does justice to his small but significant role as a
narrator. However, his accent sounds a bit odd and artificial. Suraj Sharma is
impressive as young Pi. His performance is commending during his entire
castaway sequence. His efforts to exert expressions of fear, helplessness,
guilt etc. are indeed praiseworthy. The real star of the movie however is its
special effects supported by Ang Lee's superb craftsmanship. Only thing that
goes against the movie is that its a tad too lengthy and its climax in the end
where Pi sums up his story that ends abruptly.
Life of Pi with its philosophized
story telling and artistry of cinematic extravaganza may not ring the chords of
our hearts but it is a visual splendor which is treat to the eyes! Even if you
don't understand mathematics, you will surely enjoy this Pi!
