Based on Man Book
er-prize winning
novel Life of Pi by Canadian author Yann Martel, this film tells the incredible survival story of Pi, a teen stranded on a lifeboat for what seems like forever, with a tiger for company at sea in the Pacific Ocean.
Starting out with the older Pi (Irrfan Khan) recounting his unbelievable life story to an author (Rafe Spall), we travel down memory lane and are briefly introduced to Pi’s childhood in picturesque Puducherry (Pondicherry), his family-owned zoo and his faith in God and religion.
In due course, the family heads to Canada for a ‘new chance’ at life. Calamity strikes, leaving Pi the only human survivor with a full-grown fierce Bengal tiger for company on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. What follows is an epic journey of adventure and self-discovery.
Oscar winner Ang Lee delivers a stunning masterpiece, defying the age-old belief that a film can seldom be as good as the book it’s been adapted from. Spectacular 3D and computer-generated imagery make the film a monumental work of art. Lee’s cinematic adaptation offers the story deeper meaning, while at the same time, mesmerising the viewer with its visual excellence.
LOP’s soothing background score and gorgeous imagery transports you to a world of beauty, where the sky looks as sublime as the sea and the stars shine as brightly as the ripple of a stone thrown in the water. The film is ‘visually enchanting’ in every sense of the word. India’s Puducherry and Munnar have been beautifully captured on camera.
Lee’s storytelling keeps you engaged throughout and the credit also goes to the actors. Suraj Sharma is convincing as the adolescent Pi who discovers the meaning of life the hard way. Irrfan Khan as the older Pi contributes largely in making the film emotionally compelling. His on-off American accent is noticeable but does not distract. Tabu makes her presence felt even in her brief but significant role.
Ang Lee interweaves adventure and spirituality brilliantly. And if you still don’t know what meditation feels like, Watch Life of Pi, it is therapeutic and profound.
Tip-Off: You may not like this movie if adventure is not your genre.