Life Of Pi

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Rafe Spall
Director: Ang Lee

This movie is totally the director’s baby. Ang Lee scores full points for – a) daring to attempt to transform the book ‘Life Of Pi’ (Booker Prize winning novel by Yann Martel) into a movie and doing it brilliantly, b) maintaining the fine line between the two sensibilities that are most dominant in the movie i.e. survival and spirituality, c) deriving award winning acting from an absolute newcomer, Suraj Sharma i.e. the protagonist of the story, Pi.

Storyline is very simple. But the treatment is very effective. Computer aided graphics are one of the best that we have seen till date. Scenes depicting real world as well as the imaginary world have been created realistically and beautifully respectively. Some sea storm based scenes remind you of ‘The Truman Show’.

Most amazing part is that more than ninety percent of scenes are just between Pi and Richard Parker (Bengal Tiger) and still you don’t miss anything. You are hooked to the screen till the end! The director did an intelligent job by casting acting stalwarts Irrfan, Tabu and Adil for the introductory scenes. Their intense acting do help in maintaining the audience interest during the building up phase of the movie.

At times people act awkward simply because the majority expect them to. Same seems to be the case of depiction of Indian natives in English and Cross Culture movies and this one is no different! It would be really nice if Indian sensibility and dialogue delivery will be shown, as it actually is, and not how so called developed countries perceive it to be.

A very important lesson that you learn here is that the barriers and enemies that we come across and fight and may overcome, actually keep us sane, our senses alert and our soul hopeful. Life without obstacles will actually be boring and we will soon forego the urge to live at all. Rather than destroying the enemies, it is better to tame them and co-exist with them.

The movie is an innovative visual treat. Creative people must watch it.