‘Life of Pi’ – spiritual insight with adventure

The movie based on popular fiction novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel had created lot of curiosity. Trailer’s realistic photography & animation made the file a ‘must see’. The reviews were tremendously encouraging. People who have read the novel feel their imagination about each frame in novel would be disturbed with movie but story is enhanced in all aspects in movie so more fun.

We booked show at latest Maheshwari Parmeshwari Mall in heart of the city. Mall seemed adaptive to crowd from surrounding city area in terms of food choice etc.  It was fun to share excitement of child sitting next to us when 3D movie was displayed; he exclaimed ‘Dagarke ostundi’ (‘coming near’ in Telugu). 

‘Life of Pi’ directed by Ang Lee left great impact on me. Movie doesn’t show India (around summer 1977) in unnecessary negative frame so felt happy. There is lot of depth in thoughts discussed in the movie.

Movie starts with melodious song and paradise like scene of zoo owned by Pi’s father. Pi is shown as teenage boy with self confidence to re-christen himself as ‘Pi’ to avoid embarrassment with distortion of his name.. ‘Piscine Molitor’.

 

Pi is an intelligent child & continuously explores his surrounding, religion etc. He tries to understand all three religions Hinduism, Christianity & Islam. He has beautiful family - caring elder brother Ravi & understanding, encouraging parents (Tabu, Adil Hussain) .

 

Pi wants to develop friendship with Bengal Tiger ‘Richard Parker’ (clerical error with real name ‘Thirsty’) by feeding flesh with own hands. Ravi brings father to pull Pi back in time and Pi’s hand is saved. Father teaches him that ferocious animals can’t be your friends. He says, “You see more in tiger’s eyes than your own reflection staring back at you”.

 

Pi’s adolescence & attraction / friendship towards girl ‘Anandi’ are sweetly portrayed.

 

Pi (actor Suraj Sharma) feels frustrated when he is forced to accept migration to Canada due to changing political situation in India. The shipwreck is filmed perfectly to scare you with feeling of being in ‘Pacific Ocean’ on stormy night. Pi is terribly upset with loss of his family but doesn’t have time to mourn as his life boat companions (who are wild animals)  keep him on high alert for survival. Carnivorous animals will surely kill other living specie when hungry. The hyena kills injured zebra. ‘Orange Juice’ - Orangutan fights back but hyena makes surprise fatal attack after initial retreat. Finally hyena is killed by tiger ‘Richard Parker’ - RP. 

 

Now we have thrilling story about Pi’s efforts to survive in Pacific with RP – adult Bengal tiger. In story form we understand structure of life boat, material present for on-board for survival, ocean currents etc. Pi uses  wild animal’s psychology about territory & trains the beast as taming is not possible. Pi feeds RP with rain water & fishes to ensure own safety. Pi realizes that being alert with RP is keeping him alive too.

 

There is some wonderful photography, animation about luminescent jelly fish, gigantic whale’s somersault, herd of dolphins, flying fishes etc. Pi traps & kills sizable fish to feed RP. It’s probably for first time that Pi has killed someone and asks for forgiveness. Floating island of carnivorous algae inhabited by meerkats provides mild breather with natural supplies to resume journey. 

 

The rainbow, unusual shades in sky and reflection of stars is simply beautiful. Pi also finds storm and lightning impressive. Pi never loses hopes even when his signals are not noticed by the passing by ship. 

 

Pi’s hallucinations & expressions of RP for Pi’s communication are simply brilliant. The ocen is so realistic that you never feel that some of the shooting is done in artificial wave pool.

 

Finally after 227 days, life boat reaches to Mexico. Pi’s heart breaks when RP simply jumps from the life boat, stretches the body & disappears in jungle without even looking at Pi.

 

Insurance surveyors want to understand real reason for ship wreck from sole survivor Pi. They want believable story for their report so Pi replaces animals with real life characters like sailor, cook, Pi’s mom, Pi himself & story is accepted. Pi recovers slowly in hospital. 

 

Film ends on happy note with glimpse of Pi’s happy family - wife, daughter & son Ravi.