Review of Pi (1998) by T C — 27 Nov 2009

"Brilliant!!!" "A cult masterpiece!!!" "Mind breaking!!!".

"A puzzle beyond your wildest imagination!!!" "The perfect key to unlock all secrets!!!".

I'm sure every self-assumed worshiper of indie films will tell you something similar to this.

But no.

I'm also certain that the world is full of real low-budget film appreciators that regard this one as being deep and intense and profound, and will promptly tell me that I'm the one missing the point of this genius display of cinema, and will go on and on about how they already banged my mother.

But no.

At least I'm sure the first two are wrong.

Don't think I'm writing this with a smile on my face though. Mainly because I'm not mentally challenged. But also because I really had high expectations regarding this movie. And it turned out to be a big disaster. Not a complete one, though.

But a pretty big one.

It actually started off pretty well, and was was able to hold that thought in my mind for a while, before it started to fall apart. And when it did, it pretty much lost all sense. And yes, I DID understand the attempted sense of the movie, and its intention.

It's just that it didn't make any sense.

Although I do appreciate nonsense, so that you know. But this isn't even nonsense.

This is simply ridiculous.

Then, there's the black and white filming. NOT a money issue. It was actually supposed to be faced as an artistic feature, and a good complement to the whole plot and to the remaining aspects of film making.

But no. Pointless. And it actually does start making your head hurt at some point.

The bad kind of ache.

Then, there's the soundtrack.

Somewhat Requiem for a Dream-like.

The BAD Requiem for a Dream part, that is.

Most of all, this movie was highly pretentious. You should NEVER try to mix scientific numbers, religious beliefs and a black woman with the Tourette syndrome (not spoken, but amazingly attached to her face) like that. Ever.

Why the 2 stars then, you wonder?

Because this was Aronofsky's first work, and even though it was a screwed-up one I feel compelled to admire his attempt.

And because it was actually able to capture my senses, now and then.

I probably wouldn't rate it this bad if I wasn't really looking forward to see it.

But I was.

Though I don't want you to build your defenses towards this movie, if that's what's you're wondering.

My only request is that you do not make the same mistake I did, and watch it sober.

You know, there's an old saying where I come from. It goes something like this:

"Em terra de cegos quem tem olho é rei".

It has absolutely nothing to do with this movie.

I just felt like writing it.