Enjoyed the film in spite of some controversies

Rating: 7/10 (16 January 2013)

I have not read the novel, but thoroughly enjoyed the film which far exceeded my expectations. The direction and photography are among the best I have seen, so there is nothing to compare with. However, I wondered whether it was necessary to have the film in 3D, as one felt that the film could have been equally well enjoyed even without that. Irrfan Khan is as usual at his best, as the older Pi. The special effects are also fantastic, with the island of carnivorous trees so believable! And so is the quality of editing and casting. No wonder that the film has received several Oscar nominations. But, the only major point which jars is the controversy back home in India regarding the opening lullaby, over 80% of which is a straight lift through translation into Tamil from a celebrated Malayalam lullaby, Omanathingalkkidavo, composed by Irayimman Thampi exactly 200 years back, in 1813, on the occasion of the birth of Swati Tirunal, declared king even before birth, and who later became one of the four leading composers in Carnatic music of the era. Barring this obvious bit of plagiarism, the rest of the movie was thoroughly enjoyable. I wouldn't mind watching it again, merely for the cinematic skills.