Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina November 16, 2023

BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza

Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Silang Campus
Biga 1, Silang, Cavite
TEACHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

ONE BOY, TWO STORIES, AND THREE GODS: A MOVIE REVIEW OF LIFE OF PI

As Filipinos, one of the most important core values embedded in us is faith. Regardless of what
religion it may come from, it is considered the epicenter of all spiritual beliefs. The putting of trust
in something unseen and the settling of one’s belief in a supreme being with the consensual
submission to the sanctity and wisdom of their words. This is one of the highlighted concepts in
Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi”. A book adapted into a film, that delves into the beauty of faith and how
it can conceal the harsh realities of the world.

GENESIS: The Introductory Setting of the Journey

“In the beginning was a book, and the book was filmed, and the book was film.”
"Life of Pi" is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film directed by Ang Lee released in
2012. Based on Yann Martel's bestselling novel, the movie weaves a captivating tale of survival,
spirituality, and the indomitable human spirit. Yann Martel, the author of “The Life of Pi” born on
June 25, 1963, in Salamanca, Spain, is a Canadian author best known for his novel "Life of Pi."
Martel spent much of his childhood in various places around the world, including Alaska, Costa
Rica, France, and Mexico, due to his parents' diplomatic postings. Martel studied philosophy at
Trent University in Ontario, Canada. He later worked various jobs, including as a dishwasher, tree
planter, and security guard, before devoting himself to writing full-time. His early works include
"The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios" (1993), a collection of short stories, and "Self"
(1996), a novel.

However, it was "Life of Pi," published in 2001, that brought Martel international acclaim. The
novel, which tells the story of a young Indian boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck with a
Bengal tiger, explores themes of survival, faith, and storytelling. The book won the prestigious
Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 2002, propelling Martel to literary fame. Yann Martel has continued
to write and explore diverse themes in his later works. While "Life of Pi" remains his most well-
known and celebrated work, Martel has also authored novels such as "Beatrice and Virgil" (2010)
and "The High Mountains of Portugal" (2016). In addition to his writing, Martel is known for his
involvement in various artistic and literary projects. He has also been an advocate for the
promotion of literature and the arts in Canada.

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina November 16, 2023
BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza
Martel’s Apostles: The Actors of Life of Pi
Piscine Molitor Patel or Pi Patel in short that was played by Suraj Sharma is the main character
and narrator of the story. Pi is a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean.
Pi's character is marked by his resilience, spirituality, and unique perspective on life. He spends
227 days at sea on a lifeboat, sharing it with various animals, including a tiger named Richard
Parker, a voice actor of Elie Alouf, a Bengal tiger who shares the lifeboat with Pi. Initially, Richard
Parker is a source of fear for Pi, but as the journey progresses, their relationship takes on a
complex and symbolic nature. Richard Parker becomes both a threat to Pi's survival and a
companion in his solitude. Pi's Family also known as The Patels. Santosh Patel played by Adil
Hussain, Pi's father is a pragmatic man who runs a zoo in Pondicherry, India. His practical outlook
on life often clashes with Pi's more spiritual and curious nature. Mythili Prakash as Gita Patel is
Pi's caring and nurturing mother, who supports Pi's inquisitive and religious inclinations. The
Swimming Pool Instructor, Satish Kumar is Mr. Kumar, a secondary school teacher in Pi's past
who introduces Pi to the idea of religious pluralism, encouraging him to explore and appreciate
different faiths. Atsuro Chiba as Mr. Chiba and Tomohiro Okamoto Mr. Okamoto are the officials
from the shipping company who interview Pi after his rescue. They are skeptical of Pi's incredible
survival story and seek a more plausible explanation.

An Exodus From Point A to Point B (and the places in between): Life of Pi’s Setting
"The Life of Pi" features multiple settings that contribute to the richness and diversity of the
narrative. Pondicherry, India is Pi's hometown and the initial setting of the novel. It is where Pi
grows up in his family's zoo and establishes his fascination with animals. The Pacific Ocean is
the main setting for the majority of the novel, where Pi's lifeboat drifts after the shipwreck. This
vast and unpredictable expanse becomes both a battleground for survival and a canvas for
spiritual and philosophical contemplation. The Lifeboat is a small vessel that becomes Pi's home
for 227 days. It is here that Pi shares space with various animals, including the Bengal tiger
Richard Parker. "The Life of Pi" is a novel that defies easy classification into a single genre due
to its multifaceted nature. However, it can be described as belonging to several genres such as
Adventure, the novel is a compelling adventure story that follows Pi's journey across the Pacific
Ocean, complete with the challenges and perils of surviving at sea. The survival genre that shows
a significant aspect of the story revolves around Pi's struggle for survival in the lifeboat, facing
hunger, thirst, and the threat of predatory animals. Philosophical Fiction, the novel explores deep
philosophical and existential themes, including the nature of faith, the meaning of life, and the
power of storytelling. The narrative invites readers to contemplate the larger questions of
existence. Magical Realism genre is the inclusion of fantastical elements, such as Pi's relationship
with the tiger Richard Parker, which adds a layer of magical realism to the story, blurring the lines
between reality and imagination, and lastly, Allegory. The novel can also be interpreted as an
allegory, with its characters and events symbolizing larger themes and ideas, especially
concerning faith and the human spirit.

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

 Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina November 16, 2023
BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza
EXODUS: The Journey of Pi’s Spiritual Shipwreck
The main narrative begins with Pi's childhood in Pondicherry, India, where his family owns a zoo.
Pi is fascinated by animals and explores various religions, embracing Hinduism, Christianity, and
Islam simultaneously. The family decides to immigrate to Canada, taking some of the animals
with them on a Japanese cargo ship. However, tragedy strikes when the ship encounters a severe
storm in the Pacific Ocean and sinks. Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with several surviving animals,
including a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. As the lone human survivor, Pi must figure out
how to coexist with the dangerous animals and navigate the vast and unpredictable ocean.
Pi's struggle for survival becomes a spiritual and philosophical journey. He forms an uneasy truce
with Richard Parker, establishing a routine to ensure both of their survival. Pi faces hunger, thirst,
storms, and the constant threat of predatory animals, all while grappling with his faith in God and
the meaning of life. The narrative takes a surreal and fantastical turn as Pi and Richard Parker
encounter a mysterious island with edible vegetation. However, Pi soon realizes the island is
carnivorous, and he must once again set out to sea. After 227 days adrift, Pi and Richard Parker
are finally rescued off the coast of Mexico. Pi tells his incredible tale to Japanese officials, but
they find it hard to believe. Pi then offers them an alternative story—one without animals, one that
involves human cruelty and desperation.
The novel concludes with Pi asking the writer which story he prefers. The writer chooses the story
with animals, acknowledging the importance of the fantastical and allegorical elements in
understanding the depth of Pi's experience. "The Life of Pi" is a rich and layered narrative that
explores themes of survival, faith, and the power of storytelling. The novel challenges the reader
to question the nature of reality and the role of imagination and faith in shaping our understanding
of life's challenges.

Crucifying The Life of Pi: A Look Into Certain Movie Aspects

Cinematography
As a film that won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, “Life of Pi” surely brought to the
table everything and more when it comes to its cinematic aspects. We found it interesting that the
beginning parts of the film only gave us static camera movements. Short and subtle pans from
the camera and scenes that shifted with cuts made the audience feel like they were somehow
experiencing the calm before the storm (which also can be applied literally in the latter part of the
movie). As the movie progresses, camera angles and movements then go along with the intensity
and solemnness of the scenes. The colors and vibrancy of the bioluminescent sea and how vast
the ocean was portrayed with such warmth during its calm moments were certainly a
commendable part of the color correction of the film.
The only “sin” that we considered to see in the cinematography aspects of the film was the sudden
changing of the letterbox to give off a three-dimensional effect during some parts of the film. We
found it to be messy and uncalled for. It was jarring to see the screen suddenly have a black box
appear and disappear in certain moments, cutting our viewing momentum and messing up our
already short attention spans.

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina November 16, 2023
BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza
Editing/Visual Effects
If there is one thing we would greatly commend and be proud of about this movie, it is the visual
effects on it. Considering how almost everything in the film was mainly CGI and yet it didn’t seem
like we were watching a Disney animated film is proof of how hard the crew worked on the visual
effects in the film. From the animals to the waves, the stars, and the montage when Pi was looking
down into the ocean as if he was having an ethereal vision, the film did not hold back when it
came to showcasing its editor and visual effects crew’s skills. It all appeared real and very
convincing, which was needed to prove Pi’s point or purpose for his animal narrative of the
shipwreck. The visual effects gave the first narrative the surrealism that it needed, the
beautification that connects with stories of biblical pilgrimage.
Symbolisms
As a film that tackles faith, “Life of Pi’ is indeed full of symbolism throughout the movie. Just like
how parables in the Bible hide the message through symbolism, this aspect of concealment also
was seen in the film. The first and most evident one is how animals are symbolized with human
beings. In Pi’s two versions of the story, we see how he provided the first version with animals
accompanying his journey and then gave the two Japanese men a harsher version that seemed
to match Pi’s first story once the dots were connected. It is truly amazing how both versions of
the story seem to be related but viewed through different lenses.
The symbolism of the carnivorous island as a form of temptation for Pi gives us another viewpoint
when it comes to Pi’s spiritual journey during the shipwreck. The film gives us the resemblance
of the island being in the silhouette of Vishnu, the Hindu god in which Pi also believes. This may
seem like it was another spiritual test for his faith, as he is given the choice to leave the island or
stay in a temporary resting place that later can turn out to be a possible cause of his death. We
also saw this as a place of stagnant faith that one can be in when being in a religion. When allowed
to stay and call it a day on his shipwreck journey, Pi’s persistence in continuing and pressing on
shows us his spiritual maturity that progressed throughout the start and the end of the film.
Themes
With matters concerning religion acting as the driving force of this movie, it was amazing to see
how Pi led us to understand the concept of religion and why many people place their belief in it
despite the uncertainty and its illogical qualities. Both stories gave us two sides that are pretty
much evident in how humans face challenges in their lives and how they view them. People who
believe in religion/s might think that problems are a way of testing by the supreme beings that
they believe in. Thus making it easier to traverse as the completion of the enduring of it seems to
hold a certain “rainbow after the rain” moment at the end. On the other hand, people who may
identify as atheists may have to suffer with their problems in a much more logical and truthful way
than beautifying their problems with religious glitters. Despite what route one might take, it is seen
how both choices need devotion and commitment to be believed in.
Besides faith, the concept of family is also one of the themes we saw in the film. Despite Pi’s
family having diverse beliefs, we could still see them sticking up and looking out for each other.
This can be seen when Pi’s Father, although not resonating with any religion, stood up for his wife
when they were not offered any vegan options on the ship. This is also seen as well when he

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

 Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina November 16, 2023
BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza
converses with Pi at the dining table when it comes to his polytheistic beliefs. It shows how their
family ties are still stronger than their diverse spiritual perspectives and outlooks.

A Praise-worthy Commentary or A Religious Mockery?: Thoughts About Life of Pi

Now that we have discussed all the necessary aspects of the film, we have reached the time to
bring forth our judgment on the film. Was it an eye-opening explanation of religion or was it just
poorly executed theist propaganda? To us, it is the first one. “Life of Pi” showcased to us the
importance and beauty of faith. It can be quite impossible to believe in but it can also act as a
refuge for people when faced with the problems that life does not simply offer but merely forcefully
hands over. It made us realize also how religion can be some form of escapism that humans use
to either water down their problems or give them a temporary boost of morale when the going
gets tough. Regardless of its uncertainty, life points us to the possibility of how there is indeed
something bigger in this world that graces our lives, whether it may be a supernatural being or a
force or just simply fate or the big metaphysical human ego. No matter what you may believe
between these things, one must stick to a belief about their faith.
As potential readers of the book, it would be a lie if we said that we would read the book after
watching the movie. This movie is not for people who want to have a light film to simply play while
bonding with their friends. This is an art piece that demands full attention and an in-depth analysis.
Truth be told, by the end of the film, our brains were hurting while figuring out which story was
real and how we would be able to formulate a reasonable defense for that choice. If this was the
experience we extracted from the film, we could only imagine how the book would treat us. The
movie adaptation was made well enough for us to fully grasp the message of the author without
needing to look for it in the book.

“It is finished.”: The Conclusion

“Life of Pi” is indeed a great film with an even greater message. It makes its viewers think and feel
about faith and all the philosophical stuff that encompasses it. Yet with all these great themes being
presented, the film all boils down to one thing, the resiliency of man. How we can cope with the
struggles that we are facing and how desperation fuels our actions. Pi also showed us that through
our mouths, we can control the narrative that we can choose to let our lives go in a specific
trajectory. A triumphant hero who passed through the struggles in their pilgrimage or a ferocious
beastly survivor who succumbed to life’s harsh reality?

“The world isn’t just the way it is. It is how we understand it, no? And in understanding
something, we bring something to it, no? Doesn’t that make life a story?”
- Piscine Molitor Patel

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review