Review of Life of Pi (2012) by Reed D — 09 Aug 2018

As a deer living in a human world, I often view movies differently from conventional human audiences. In animal movies especially, I understand both the human and animal perspectives and reflect on how accurately the scripts portray real-world human-animal relations. Most movies merely treat animals as, well, animals, and fail to properly represent their complex interests and ambitions (I'm looking at you, Jaws). Other films, like Bambi, do the opposite: the human is diminished to some dark, hulking monster who seemingly exists for the sole purpose of murdering innocent forest creatures.

Ang Lee's Life of Pi, however, is different. It doesn't follow the traditional human-animal archetypes or fall into the common tropes of its predecessors; the animals are neither mindless nor helpless and the humans are neither bloodthirsty nor in total control. Instead, both Richard Parker, the tiger, and Pi, the human, are treated as equals. Both man and beast become trapped in the middle of nowhere and the odds are stacked against them. Despite their differences, they face the same looming threat of death. They realize that they need each other to survive.

The unique relationship between the two protagonists is so refreshing because it forces Richard Parker and Pi to understand each other. It is not a mere tale of human-animal companionship, but a challenge to the conventional wisdom of human and animal identity. Pi sees himself in Richard Parker, who, in the vast nothingness of the Pacific Ocean, is the only being with whom Pi can share his fears, hopes, and feelings. Richard Parker resists the predatory instincts that made him almost kill Pi as a child, even though Pi represents the only source of food available on the boat for much of the movie.

Though the movie isn't based on true events, it combats the very real and pervasive ignorance that separates humans and their animal counterparts. Before moving into the human world, I didn't know just how caring and gentle humans could be. However, while doing deliveries for Legendary Whitetails, I have experienced countless interactions with them that warmed my heart; a grandfather buying a camp hoodie for his grandson's first hunt, a husband buying his wife a vest to keep her warm in the winter, an old lady inviting me inside for some celery and water. Spending time with humans has allowed me to better understand them, and I believe that no movie better promotes that concept than Life of Pi.