Yesterday afternoon, Shirley, Frances and I went to see the 3D version of "Life of Pi" directed by Ang Lee and starring Suraj Sharma as "Pi" Patel. Shirley had read the novel by Yann Martel some time ago but Frances and I didn't know quite what to expect.
The middle hour of the film has "Pi" out at sea in the company of a Bengal tiger called, rather bizarrely, Richard Parker. This hour was quite sublime - both visually and in terms of the surreal experience it created. The 3D effects did not enslave the director's intentions, as arguably happened with "Avatar", but instead served or enhanced the cinematographic fantasy. Some of it was quite stunning and I found myself lost in the spectacle.
Did Pi dream it all? Was it truth or illusion? In the end it doesn't really matter. There was something vaguely spiritual about it all but if there was a religious message it certainly wasn't shoved roughly down your throat. At times there's a lightness, a deliberate silliness about "Life of Pi" and it is very likely the best film I have seen this year. It was breaking boundaries and Shirley said it truly did justice to a novel she had very much enjoyed. All three of us walked out of the cinema feeling we had just watched something rather special and uplifting.
I shall see it. The shorts looked good, and I've read the book. Now you've confirmed it.
ReplyDeleteAh, it's just come out here and I rather thought I'd like to see it in 3D and after what you've said I will. I haven't read the book so that's on my list too.
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year when a new batch of movies (in cool air conditioned theatres )come out to entertain us.
I have read the book and found it quite intriguing but I haven't been tempted to see the film.
ReplyDeleteAm going to see this next week
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Yp
KATHERINE, HELEN, EARL GRAY I hope you will not be disappointed. Just relax and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJENNYTA Not tempted? Mind you, do they have any cinemas in Wrexham? Do you have electricity yet? Marvellous invention.