Review of Pi (1998) by Alexey F — 30 Jul 2010

An interesting premise made it hard for me to figure out what to expect. A techno-thriller about a man who discovers a number which enables one to predict the stock market ? Or a philosophical tour de force about the answer to the question, what is life and the number that is god's true name. Well, I am happy to say that it was the latter. Far from following traditional paths of American narrative, the film is a spiritual contemplation about truth and the nature of it and what people will do exploit for their own purposes. Here and there, the movie borders on becoming a normal movie but all the rum-of-the-mill tropes (the cute next door neighbor, the tough agent, the old friend) are quickly distorted in surreal scenes of hypnotic suffering and visions. While I a not the biggest fans of film that overdo visual distortions and hyper-realities, it fits "PI" because the protagonist is suffering from nausea and the insight into "the truth" after all. Visually, the movie is held in stunning black&white with a lot of rhythm patterns which repeat itself and keep chaining the film's pace, it is almost like a dance routine. The cast is solid, Mark Margolis standing out, as his character is really the most mysterious and human one. The ending offers a nice, thoughtful, almost spiritual twist which might leave some unsatisfied and others inspired but I think it was the best way to go. An interesting movie. By any account.

HX.