Once blinded, now he sees.He sees the patterns which occur within nature and, from inside his reclusive
world, he seeks to understand the patterns which govern nature, the universe and
the stock market.
Others are interested in his work. But who are they ? Do they share the same
agenda ?
Are they watching him, or is he simple being driven insane by his debilitating
affliction ?
This must be one of the most original films to have been released of late;
director Darren Aronofsky knocked this film out, in black and white, for just
60,000 USD, winning the Best Director award at the Sundance Film Festival for
his efforts.
Unfortunately the film has received very little exposure in the UK;
Pathé, the film's distributors, are competing against larger distributors
with multi-million dollar blockbusters for valuable screen space and its
perceived artiness is not helping it gain mainstream accreditation.
Its lack of exposure is to be much lamented as it as an interesting and
enjoyable film; more Kafkaesque than arty, very film noire, well
written and brilliantly directed with superb acting in evidence and a soundtrack
which is both haunting and fitting.
I had heard great things of this film and had wanted to see it; luckily I got my
chance, in a 150 seater in the midst of London's West End.
If you get the opportunity to see it, seize the chance; the block-busters can
wait. For me, it was a choice of Pi or the preview showings of
The Thin Red Line; I was not disappointed by my
choice.
It may be low-budget, shot in black and white and it hasn't been nominated for
any Academy Awards, it may seem, on the surface, just to be about numbers and
mathematics but it all adds up to make it a great film.
