FINALLY! A REAL THRILLER!

Rating: 10/10 (27 April 2001)

"Pi" the dazzling and bleak debut feature from Darren Aronofsky, refers to that unending number that is often rounded out to 3.14 and is used in algebra classes around the world.
But this isn't a math movie. I think the best way to look at this film is that it is about obsession. The main character is so obsessed with finding the real number, which is believed to be infinite, that the film is a study of obsession and madness.
But I don't want to give away the plot and spoil Aronofsky's nice surprises. I do want to say that I think it's amazing that "Pi" is able to be such an effective thriller without resorting to the usual T&A and standard shoot-em-up chases. The grainy black and white photography only adds to the feel of a lonely guy's world.
Some people complain that "Pi" contains no big stars. I think that big stars would have hurt the film. Honestly, can you imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sly Stallone or Mel Gibson trying to find out what exactly is Pi? Unknowns only make this more believable.
See "Pi" more than once. It may take some more than a few viewings to fully understand it. But at least Aronofsky has some good ideas and is content to make a muddled film rather than a neat, contrived one. "Pi" was one of 1998's best films.
**** out of 4 stars