Life of Pi

Ang Lee's latest masterpiece—Life of Pi—is a visual stunner and credits its success to both excellent cinematography and clever storytelling. Though I'm still looking forward to the day when I will be able read the book in one sitting (I hope so), online reviews are all praise for this breakthrough film stressing that it had remained faithful to the book—a stark contrast to other movie adaptations that went beyond the pages. Other than that, Life of Pi is definitely the perfect movie to kick-off a year full of exciting movie releases.

Life of Pi follows the story of a shipwrecked boy in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where sharks dwell and where storms are the fiercest. But Pi is not alone. He is with a growling Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, one of the animals they transported from India in search of a greener pasture in Canada.

The film gives a dazzling visual narrative of the extraordinary survival of Pi and Richard Parker in vivid flashbacks. It was a poignant account of how both managed to survive the rough ocean, the strongest storms and the protesting stomach. It touches a certain point of humanity and unique friendship between the two, as manifested by one of my favorite scenes: when Pi gives way to pity as Richard Parker paws pitifully at a raft to get back into the boat. That triggered the friendship nurtured by both hunger and the open sea. Towards the end of this visual narrative, the viewing public has to prepare lots of tissue papers during tear-jerker moments when it will be very difficult to feel more sorry for the man or for the tiger.

More than anything else, this film excelled greatly in tackling faith and of holding on to the single strand of hope amidst seemingly insurmountable adversities. One striking line Pi uttered while braving big waves stroke a chord in me: “Richard Parker, come out you have to see this! It's beautiful!” Such a simple and powerful line!

Also listed in my favorites list in the movie is when the two finally reached the shore, both too skinny and nearly dying. It is a defining moment—a conclusion of their ordeal—but also a sad one because both have not been given a chance to bid farewell. I was disappointed their parting ended that way because I was expecting, at the very least, for Richard Parker to look back to Pi before heading to the wild. My feeling in this scene was succinctly described by the adult Pi talking to a Canadian writer to whom he is giving his unusual journey: I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.

Like everybody else, Zyzle, Kelvin (my movie companions last Sunday afternoon) and I went out smiling and inspired as ever. More than the movie’s crisp, well-thought angles and superb 3D rendering, Life of Pi’s advantage is its exceptional treatment of a wonderful story of faith, of friendship and of letting go.

Louie.

Life of Pi is still showing. For those in Tagum, Ang Lee's masterpiece is shown at the 3D Cinema of the Gaisano Mall of Tagum.