Directed by Ang Lee
Starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan
Few film directors could come even remotely close to capturing the essence of Canadian Yann Martels acclaimed 2001 novel, but Ang Lee relishes the challenge in his big screen version of Life of Pi. The veteran was seemingly unfazed by the old adage that warns films should avoid kids, animals and water.
To call the project ambitious is an understatement Lee utilizes the best in 3D, sets most of the movie in a lifeboat and features a gripping performance from a tiger that combines state of the art CGI with footage of four real animals. Aside from the striking visuals and emotional impact of the story, its incredible just how little the director left out from the source material and how well an otherwise impossible adaptation works as a film.
The main plot follows the harrowing ordeal of Pi Patel (played by four actors of varying ages) as he drifts on a stranded lifeboat, following a disastrous ship sinking, in the open ocean for more than 200 days with a fearsome tiger for a companion. The themes, which permeate to the surface of the story, examine issues of spirituality and escapism. The film dazzles and pops with a visual exuberance rarely seen in theatres today but also blends its technical feats with a riveting human experience; the end result is a deftly crafted piece of movie magic that mixes both dreams and reality.
Life of Pi is a rare and glorious cinematic gem; a meticulously-crafted, gorgeously-rendered experience that demands multiple viewings.
