Life of Pi’s story is framed in the smartest of ways: a person retelling an experience to another. A beautiful film in it’s visuals, pacing and meaning, Life of Pi is one of my favorites I’ve seen all year. In fact, I regret not seeing it in theatres as the rich visual element (and from what I’ve heard leading 3D cinematography) probably would have made me enjoy it even more.
In his travels, a writer is told by a man that he knows someone that could tell him a true story that would make him believe that God is real. With a pitch like that, who wouldn’t want to hear that story? The writer tracks down Pi Patel and sits down with him to hear a harrowing story of adventure, loss, acceptance, power and discovery. As a teenager Pi and his family were on a large tanker sailing across the Pacific ocean from India to Canada to start a new life with their zoo animals. One night a massive storm sinks the boat and only Pi, a zebra, a orangutan, a hyena and a Bengal tiger survive.
It’s a fanciful story, much like Noah’s Arc where the resiliency and growth of the human spirit is demonstrated. At sea for weeks with only the tiger, animal and man end up depending on each other to survive. There’s a lot of metaphors and hidden meaning in Pi’s tale, one that I think is brilliantly told in just under two hours. The reveals at the end were great and masterful and a lot goes to director Ang Lee on his careful and gentle eye to tell this epic story. Often intense and deeply touching, I think this is a movie for the ages.
Life of Pi reminds me of Tim Burton’s Big Fish which is another beautiful example of how the myths and stories made by man often carry the most weight through generations because they are so colorful and poignant no matter how old you are. Life can be difficult and dark, sometimes dressing things up can make it easier to comprehend. Learning doesn’t come from just step by step manuals where everything is laid out for you.
Years ago I was given Life of Pi to read. I gave it a try but for some reason I didn’t make it far in. Was a too young? Too disinterested? Too distracted? I can’t say for sure, but I think now is the time for me to give it another go.