Life-affirming tale that resonates

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2013)

I should first confess that i have not read Yann Martel's novel, am not a vegetarian, and do not believe that all religions are the same. All that notwithstanding, i love this movie with the inspiring message that if life throws you lemons, make lemonade. When Indian boy Pi Patel faces taunts in school, he turns that to his advantage. When, as a teenager, he becomes shipwrecked and shares a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, he learns to deal with the situation and because he never gives up hope, he gets to be amazed by the wonderful experiences brought about by his predicament. Suraj Sharma injects his performance with a combination of innocence and tenacity, while the virtual tiger named Richard Parker is an impressive work of art. Both complement each other beautifully. The screenplay is sharp and observant, while the music score is striking yet unobtrusive. Yes, director Ang Lee has delivered yet another masterpiece.