Brilliant, unique indie feature

Rating: Null/10 (6 August 2002)

After viewing and enjoying `Requiem For a Dream' I decided to give Darren Aronofsky's Pi a try. As an aspiring indie filmmaker I believe Pi is a clinic in directing for a low/no budget. Darren Aronofsky and Sean Gullette's writing is brilliant. A very simple story for a somewhat theoretical view of the value PI. A very complicated subject even in it simplest form, they manage to keep an aura of wonder going until the last minute without inundating the audience with nonsensical language, ala Star trek. Co-writer Sean Gullette is also the films star. Portraying a mad-genius, he is alone on screen most of the time, while voiceovers constantly delve deeper into his mind as the true meaning of PI eludes him. Next, the look of the film. The image on the screen rarely ever ventures into grey. That is to say the image is high contrast black and white and never in between. It lends the film an eerie quality that is emphasized by Matthew Libatique's handheld camera work and Oren Sarch's kinetic editing style. Basically the financial limits of the budget on a film like this calls for the filmmaker to find new and creative ways to exploit both image and story. And I must say this. This is one of the most unique films I have seen. Also a note to aspiring filmmakers, you will learn more from the DVD audio commentary than a month of film school.