A bizarre good time

Rating: Null/10 (25 July 2003)

Pi, written and directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream), and starring Sean Gullete, is the story of a mathematical genius, Max Cohen, who tries to find the pattern of the stock market. He looks at the market as being an "organic being". However, with a Wall Street firm on his tail, along with a Kaballah sect, it will be hard for Max to get his work done, especially with the horrible migraines that plauge him.
Pi is a very bizarre film. Sometimes you'll understand what's happening, but most of the time you will be lost. This film demands repeat viewings. I even saw it twice in a row when I first saw it. It's strange, but you won't be able to look away from the screen, seeing Max's headaches get worse, seeing the annoyance of the firm and the sect. Seeing Max destroy himself.
The film is shot in beautiful black-and-white, with a great sense of photography and director's technique. Even here, you can see the camera effects that made Requiem For A Dream a great study of film.
Another thing about this film is the fact that it is somewhat open to interpretation. Is Max a schizophrenic, and the whole film a delusion? There are more questions I could ask, but that would perhaps spoil it for someone who has never seen it. A thought-provoking film, and definately one to check out if you enjoy a good independent movie.