Life of Pi - A Book turned into Reality

Overview: To say that the movie is well executed and beautifully visualized, would probably not do full justice to the wonderful work frm director Ang Lee but still....it sets the expectations right. Great performances and awe-inspiring visuals make it a cinema-goers treat....while 3D might not be the only way to watch it....it is perhaps a better way to enjoy it.

Characters: Without much focus on other characters, like Tabu, who plays the mother of Pi Patel, Adil Hussain, who plays the role of the father....lets jump straight to Mr. Pi Patel himself. While both of them (Tabu and Adil) play an effective role, in all honesty. they probably have a total air time of 8-10 mins!!

Pi appreciating and fighting with God in a storm that
scares Richard Parker!

Suraj Sharma mainly, followed closely by Irrfan Khan play the role of Piscine Molitor Patel so convincingly that its hard not to feel connected with Pi - The Protagonist of this incredible human story.  The emotions are superbly expressed and most of the movie depends on these expressions which needed to be real, subtle yet not over-pronounced.
The bengal Tiger - Richard Parker is well integrated into the narrative just as in the novel and as the minutes go by...you cant help but feel for the tiger and also start understanding the importance of the relationship between Pi and Richard parker.

Richard Parker beginning to
respect Pi. 

 Music: Mychael Danna delivers a very appropriate background score for the movie and it is actually kept at a minimum. Mostly its the silence and the natural sounds, but some soulful compositions do get integrated seamlessly and relevantly.

Experience: A truly magical experience....a movie that lingers on for a long time in your eyes and memories after having watched it. The scenes so magnificently visualized from the novel keep playing back in your head. No doubt that the novel was an excellent piece of work by Yann Martel, but David Magee (screenplay) and Ang Lee (director) truly do justice to the book. No doubt that a movie cannot describe the various thoughts and philosophical detours that the author takes while writing a book or while explaining a scenario, but still, the movie manages to find a fine balance between visual effects and expressing the story as a true human story of perseverance, of spirituality, of friendship and of courage.

Been-O-pinion: I rate it 4 out of 5. It is one of the best adaptations of a book into a movie and deserves the big screen to enjoy and truly appreciate. Go ahead...enjoy Pi and Richard Parker....at then end...you will believe in God too! :)   

Talaash: Your search ends here!

Overview: Anything i say...can and will be held against me! :) This review is going be a tough one to write. Nevertheless, all i would like to say is this is one movie you don't want to miss. Excellent performances, deft execution of a well written script by Reema Kagti and appropriately shot with the perfect OST and background score.

Characters: Navazuddin....what a talented actor! He keeps proving his talent with every movie. He, yet again reinforces his skills and plays the greedy Teymour. 

Rani Mukherjee...small role, yet powerful performance - never goin over board as a wife concerned about her husband's all night long whereabouts or her pain over the accident that has changed their lives.
Kareena....the scene stealer! You've seen her before as Chameli and she does a yet again brilliant job of playing prostitute. The charming yet sad, the seductive yet respectable....she packs various contrasting shades into the colorful Rosie that she plays! Kudos to her.

Aamir...what can one comment about the master of acting- the man who has changed the face of bollywood with his perfection...not once....but many times. His emotions, his eyes, body-language...10 out of 10.

Reema Kagti...yes...the director deserves a special mention. Her direction is so powerful that she almost plays an additional character. Hats off to her writing and direction skills.

Music: Ram Sampat.... Theres an obvious reason why mr. Perfection has started doing all his productions with him. Haunting background and an awesome soundtrack....a job well done by Sampat. Jee Le zara is an amazing track as is the slow rock ballad Laakh Duniya Kahe!

Experience: The movie captures you from the opening sequence to the end credits. There are some scenes that qualify easily as one of the best executed scenes of the year. Packed with brilliant performances and scoring 100% in the suspense and intensity departments, the movie takes suspense, thrill and the whodunnit genre in bollywood to international standards. Kagti keeps the pace easy, the plot simple and tension constantly high. A must watch movie.

Been-O-pinion: I rate it 4.5 out of 5. Your search for the best movie of the year ends here. While the year has had great movies, this one has great performances, script , camera work, background score and above all Super Talented Direction.