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Yann Martels novel Life of Pi was such an engaging read, it seemed almost impossible to turn it into a film. The images that were left upon the impressionable readers of the novel seemed so grand and having a film depict them would just ruin that wonderful imagination. Boy, was that the wrong idea now that I have witnessed Ang Lee’s adaptation of the fantastic novel.
Pi Patel’s family has packed up all their stuff and are heading for Canada, when the freight ship they are sailing on sinks in the pacific ocean, leaving Pi stranded on a lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an Orangutan and a 450 pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi must adapt to the forces of nature, and become the dominant figure amidst the animals in order to survive this harrowing journey across the pacific.
Ang Lee’s vision of Yann Martel’s novel is a visual spectacle, built to be a journey of faith, acceptance and self discovery. Lee creates a film that leans heavily on visuals, the CG affects that are used to create the animals on the boat. A lot of this film is about instincts, natural survival that is hindered by the wreckage that can be caused by nature itself. It becomes a journey of one young man, who must find the courage to survive through these troubling times.
Some of the descriptions and imagination of the novel of course were lost which is inevitable. The narration of Pi Patel was crucial to the novel, and the film, but at points felt lost upon the visual capabilities of the film. What was great about the novel was the ability to imagine how Pi Patel told the story, how the words on the page seemed to build his character, which seemed to be lost in the film. The words from the novel only translated to the screen on a superficial level, but not a spiritual and idealistic level like in the novel.
That is not to say the film is bad in any way, I was blown away by the chilling visuals that were on display. The ship-wreck, the ocean storm, the island were all very thrilling and kept the film alive, kept it breathing fresh air. Due to the lack of people presence for the last half of the film, the visuals undoubtedly became the backbone of this film. For fans of the novel, these visuals are enough to keep you entertained and engaged. For those who have not read the novel, this film will serve as a great survival story, a visual masterpiece and an epic journey.
8/10
