Oscar-down #5: Life of Pi

(Will counts down his favorite Best Picture noms! #9 #8 #7 #6)

#5: Life of Pi

After a shipwreck leaves teenage Pi Patel marooned on a lifeboat, he must struggle to survive and remain sane while dealing with his fellow passenger, a Bengal tiger.

Why it should be higher:
   This film is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Screenshots...

   Absolutely gorgeous from top to bottom.

...don't do it...

And that was in 2-D; from all accounts 3-D screenings are even more visually impressive.

...any justice.

   The cinematography and effects blend perfectly together and made watching Life of Pi one of the best visual treats I've had in ages. Of particular note is the mostly CGI tiger, which is rendered so realistically that it becomes a seamlessly integrated and fascinating character in its own right. On top of its wonderful imagery is the story itself, which, while fitful in parts, is powerfully moving. The concept of faith forms the thematic spine of the film, but for most of the film it is tackled in a nuanced and evenhanded way. Whether Pi's religious convictions are true or false is given little weight; Life cares simply that he has belief.

Why it isn't:
   Pi's journey at sea kind of just ends. Throughout the film we are given no sense of the lifeboat's relative position in the ocean putting us in Pi's shoes but resulting in the moment he reaches shore arrive very abruptly. Further, it's also directly preceded by a sequence in which Pi recommits himself to continuing on towards civilization instead of living his days alone on an uncharted isle. Being saved immediately afterwards is too pat a resolution.
   The last third of Life of Pi also suffers from the film's framing device, in which an author interviews an adult Pi about his experiences. Where most of Pi is subtle in its exploration of spirituality, these scenes are direct and heavy-handed in attacking the topic, and a late-game reveal meant to give Pi's journey a darker subtext comes across as a jarring narrative swerve. Yet even ending with a whimper, Life of Pi remains a striking experience and one of my more pleasant surprises this year.

One more for the road.