The book, Life of Pi, came out in 2001 and was an immediate best seller. I read it. Or I tried to. The kid on the boat with the tiger made no sense to me. I just didn't get it.
So when the movie came out I wasn't interested. Then it started racking up Academy Award nominations. Then a couple of my friends, whom I really respect in this area, said "go see the movie." But we never got around to it. And, frankly, I still wasn't thrilled with the idea. Especially since it's long (two hours plus.) And I had read that the book was "unfilmable." Why would I see an "unfilmable" movie of a book I didn't like?
Yesterday we went to the neighborhood discount theater. Life of Pi was the only thing even remotely worth seeing. We had to pay big bucks ($3.25 each) because it's in 3-D.
I don't like 3-D.
So there I was - sitting in the theater in my big dark glasses. I'd like to describe this film to you but I can't. I was mesmerized from the time it started until the end. Each frame of this film is beautiful in a magnificent way. It's just plain visually spectacular.
But it's not "all hat and no cowboy." It's full of cerebral symbolism. It's about a boy (Pi) who is shipped wreaked on a small boat with a tiger (Richard Parker.) But it's also very much about the nature of God. (One of my favorite topics.) Pi is curious about God in all God's forms.
If you can still find Life of Pi at a theater, please see it. If you must watch it at home it just won't have the same impact. And see it in 3-D. I take back everything I've ever said about 3-D.
The ending has two versions. You'll want to discuss these endings with your friends. Which do you think is the "real" one? Why is it important?
Life of Pi ended up receiving four Academy Awards. Best direction (by Ang Lee,) best musical score, and (of course) best cinematography and visual effects.
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So when the movie came out I wasn't interested. Then it started racking up Academy Award nominations. Then a couple of my friends, whom I really respect in this area, said "go see the movie." But we never got around to it. And, frankly, I still wasn't thrilled with the idea. Especially since it's long (two hours plus.) And I had read that the book was "unfilmable." Why would I see an "unfilmable" movie of a book I didn't like?Yesterday we went to the neighborhood discount theater. Life of Pi was the only thing even remotely worth seeing. We had to pay big bucks ($3.25 each) because it's in 3-D.
I don't like 3-D.
So there I was - sitting in the theater in my big dark glasses. I'd like to describe this film to you but I can't. I was mesmerized from the time it started until the end. Each frame of this film is beautiful in a magnificent way. It's just plain visually spectacular. But it's not "all hat and no cowboy." It's full of cerebral symbolism. It's about a boy (Pi) who is shipped wreaked on a small boat with a tiger (Richard Parker.) But it's also very much about the nature of God. (One of my favorite topics.) Pi is curious about God in all God's forms.
If you can still find Life of Pi at a theater, please see it. If you must watch it at home it just won't have the same impact. And see it in 3-D. I take back everything I've ever said about 3-D.
The ending has two versions. You'll want to discuss these endings with your friends. Which do you think is the "real" one? Why is it important?
Life of Pi ended up receiving four Academy Awards. Best direction (by Ang Lee,) best musical score, and (of course) best cinematography and visual effects.
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