Life of Pi Dazzles

It is not too often that I am left without words, unable to distinctively articulate my thoughts on a film. But, when it comes to Ang Lee’s newest release Life of Pi, it is difficult to summarize the depth and beauty brought to the screen in the form of this original film.

Based on Canadian author Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi is the story of a boy who has spent his life in India as the son of a zoo owner. From the start, Pi (Suraj Sharma) has a charmed existence, surrounded by exotic animals that he feels a particular connection to. From the time he was a young boy, he has been fascinated by several religions and carries a quiet pride of how he has come to know God. His faith and ability to stay in tune with his spirit is put to the test when he finds himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean with a lifeboat and a handful of exotic animals, which includes a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Pi’s story is told from his perspective as a grown man; he reveals his tale of survival to a writer (Rafe Spall), while promising to “make him believe there is a God.”

Many fans of Martel’s top-selling novel were excited yet skeptical when the news first broke that the story was to be transformed to the big screen, and with good reason. The extraordinary details of this story and a supporting cast that is made up mostly by zoo animals could have easily turned this beautiful tale into a cheesy portrayal. Too heavy on the special effects and a thoughtless screenplay would have been the recipe of its demise. But, bookworms can rest easy. The film does the story justice by using a measured amount of digital effects to enhance the extraordinary journey of a young boy caught in a devastating situation of having to fight to stay alive on a lifeboat with wild animals after surviving a shipwreck that swallowed his entire family.

 

Life of Pi leaves its audience in a pensive state. What would I do if I were lost in the middle of the ocean with little food, water and other mammals that saw me as prey? Would I survive? What would I be willing to do to at least try and survive? These are all questions I asked as the credits rolled. But more than a mind taken over by inquisition, I left with an overwhelming sense of empathy and marvel at what is in fact a simple story about will and perseverance, yet perfectly disguised as a tall tale.

 -DTG

LINCOLN is too honest of a portrayal of good ol' Abe

Lincoln: Stephen Spielberg’s latest film, is a production that I (along with other cinema enthusiasts who become giddy at murmurs of Oscar-worthy films) was anxious to experience. This past weekend, I wrestled the crowds of Breaking Dawn - Part 2 fanatics and bought a ticket to the film starring Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Field, both academy award winners who shine in almost every performance. I settled into my seat and prepared to enjoy the 2hrs and 45mins movie that I likely didn’t have the time to watch. But hey, true movie buffs make sacrifices.

Verdict: This film was not worth the sacrifice (or the annoyance of the overly anxious teenage girls lined up for the latest Twilight film). It was uninspired, dry, and a long-winded ode to America’s “most-loved” president. I know what you are thinking. “Any half-wit could guess that this film would be a virtual tribute to the glorious United States of America and its ability to abolish slavery after a long history of building the bloated and prosperous country on the backs of blacks.” Trust me, I get. But, what I don’t understand is why Spielberg would choose to turn an amazing snapshot of history into a biopic that truly felt like a university text book brought to the screen (and, not the surprisingly relevant and engaging type of text book. The one’s that you barely crack open throughout the semester and you primarily use as a coaster. As a history major, I am very familiar with the type).

Spielberg was wise to cast Day-Lewis who was consistent in his performance and undoubtedly solid. However, there was little character development and no meaty substance as to who Abraham Lincoln was as a husband, father, and more importantly, a white man with incredible power, who had a specific vision and determination to push for a life of freedom for all black Americans in an era where this mindset was typically reserved for a niche group.

The dialogue was dull and the writing was extremely generic. I felt like I was being force-fed a series of historical facts, rather than being tricked into absorbing a worthy piece of history through skillful storytelling with a rich script, cinematography and score—ingredients of a successful biopic if you ask me.

But if there is one element of this film that truly cut to the core, it was its lack of black characters. This movie had the potential to showcase some of the industry’s most talented black actors. After all, it is a piece of their ancestry that is being told at the end of the day. Unfortunately, there were less than a handful of non-white characters in Lincoln and they all had only a few lines. As far as I’m concerned, it was a gross display of tokenism, a waste of what could have been a beautiful opportunity to tell Lincoln’s story in a multidimensional manner.

Better luck next time, Mr. Spielberg.

-DTG