Review of Pi (1998) by Dylon M — 18 Feb 2010

1997's Pi was Darren Aronofsky's way of telling the world he's not fucking around. Using many elements he would go one to perfect in Requiem for a Dream, Pi turns out to be a pretty damn good movie. This is definitely not for everybody. The majority of the film is very dark and focuses on a very mature subject matter. The premise of the story follows a mathematics genius names Max Cohen. He believes that at the center of everything there's math. Everything revolves around numbers and well, math in general. HE spends most of his days working on various projects and really tends to keep to himself. In fact, the only person he speaks to is his elderly teacher, a used-to-be genius who kind of dropped out. Then one day, Max stumbles upon this random, seemingly meaningless number, but it turns out, everyone wants to get there hands on it.

People begin finding out who he is, and they ALL want his secrets. Everyone does! From a reporter to a group of Jewish Wall Street guys who are in a distinctive cult. They all want to help him, but his anti-social nature pushes him away, and pushes them further into his life, sometimes in dangerous, violent way. Max was in an accident as a child and suffers extremely painful headaches which causes him to become addicted what seems to be pain pills. Upon taking them, he has these whacked-out visions that begin to drive him crazy, and all of the stress becomes to much. So Max settles for the only way out he can, ending in one of the most cringe-worthy endings I've yet to see. Cringe-worthy as it may be, it's still great.

Though not as good nor renowned as Aronofsky's magnum opus 'Requiem For A Dream', Pi is still excels as an engaging, sometimes maniacal thriller. The dark, gritty directing really enhances the bleak, eerie feeling of the whole movie. The trips from whatever medicine Max is taking are directed really well also. So well, it makes you feel as if your tripping right there with him. If one pays close attention to the directing you can really tell he was preparing for future films. A lot of the same techniques are enhanced and used in Requiem, just slightly more professional looking. So, that being said Pi is by no means a masterpiece, but if you're a fan of Darren Aronofsky's work, than you're sure to love it. Still a great pleasure to watch.