Eleven years after the book hit shelves, Life of Pi has finally been released as a major motion picture. Directed by Ang Lee and starring Suraj Sharma as teenaged Pi, the main character of the movie, Life of Pi hit theaters on November 21, 2012.
In the beginning of Life of Pi, Piscine “Pi” Molitor Patel is an adult who lives in Canada with his family when he is approached by a writer who is looking for inspiration for a book. The writer, suffering from writer’s block, was told by someone he knew that Pi could tell him a story that would make him believe in God and could provide inspiration for his next novel. Pi proceeds to tell the writer his life story, starting out where it all began: in India.
Pi was born and raised in India, where he lived with his parents and his brother Ravi. His family owns a zoo, and Pi enjoys being around the animals, especially a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Pi finds himself getting involved in various religions as the years pass, proclaiming himself a Catholic-Hindu-Muslim with a mild interest in Judaism.
When Pi turns 16 and is in a relationship with his girlfriend Anandi, Pi’s father reveals that the entire Patel family is moving to Canada and selling the animals in the zoo in order to make money to start a new life. In the days that follow, the Patel family and all of the animals board a cargo ship and head to Canada.
After the boat sinks and Pi finds himself stranded on a boat with only a few animals for company, the mood of the story shifts. Now, Pi is fighting for his life against both the elements of nature and the animals he has spent most of his life with.
Life of Pi is a movie that is packed with special effects but also maintains a fast-paced and interesting storyline. The visuals are amazing at some points, almost comparable to those of Avatar but with a plot that is actually concrete.
When all is said and done, odds are that Life of Pi will stand as one of the best overall movies of the year.