Rating of
3/4
Life of Pi review
Gabe - wrote on 05/21/13
What a beautiful film. I just can't say enough about the visual aspect of this film. I have no reference point, I have not read the book, which is probably a good thing. The story is interesting. A boy shipwrecked and living on a lifeboat with a tiger. I'm not sure I got all of the references to God, or Krishna, or whatever other religion Pi was practicing at the time. In fact, I'm not sure that this isn't a film about the lack of a "God." It's about the perseverance of a boy and the will to fight to stay alive. God didn't teach him how to read or fish or NOT drink the salt water, those are all lessons learned throughout his life.
Again, I haven't read the book, so I'm a little skeptical about the framing of the film, I'm not a big fan of the, "I'm writing a book, filming a documentary...etc..." plot play. It is OK to just let the film play out. The Great Gatsby failed at this. Now, if this is how the story is told in the book, I still think it's dumb, but Ang Lee was right to include it in his film. The one part that I felt was not needed was the whole island scene. Water that turns to acid?
Whatever you believe, God or no God, animals or humans on the boat, this is a fine film and a directorial triumph!!
