Brilliant and confusing

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2005)

"Pi" is about a brilliant mathematician who finds himself tracked down by code-seeking Jews and a strange corporation, both of whom are seeking the same thing: a universe-unlocking sequence of numbers that explain the sequences in life, etc.
This movie is weird. It's confusing and dark. It's also utterly brilliant in the way director/writer Darren Aronofsky manages to make the most out of a low-budget by way of creepy black and white photography (which makes for very paranoid viewing) and surprisingly convincing acting. Also I found the fact that this "drama" is scarier than most horror films released nowadays quite refreshing.
I wish more movies were like "Pi." It is bewildering and a bit alienating, yes, but nevertheless totally mesmerizing and entertaining. It is well-directed, well-written and unlike anything I have ever seen before, although if comparisons must be drawn it reminded me a bit of "Memento" for some reason. Perhaps because both films refuse to follow conventional film-making and for that reason alone, "Pi" is worth a lot of praise.