Synopsis:
“Life of Pi” Yann Martel’s 2001 best-selling novel, is a magical adventure story of a young boy, Pi Patel, son of Santosh Patel, a zoo owner living in Pondicherry, India. The family decides to move the zoo to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival.

Painting: “The Bengal Tiger and Pi Patel in the Boat”, based on Yann Martel’s Magical Adventure “Life of Pi” Illustration by Vikram Roy © Copyright 2012
My Review:
Novel “Life of Pi“, and film director Ang Lee’s version seems, I never imagine its possible to combine the philosophy into the film screen. The imagination through the novel was fantasy in my opinion when the film version is magically realistic. The use of modern highest resource of 3D technology is a merit of success achieved by the art-direction team, I salute. The film made me speechless even after it ends I was sitting and waiting to watch more and more. I was thinking where the digital entertainment is sailing the boat for the NextGen?
The movie contains good sense of humour regarding the dialogues. In market, Pi was following a girl he saw at the dance class. When she catches Pi and asked why he is following? Pi innocently asked at the dance class she ended two wrists joined loosely cupped hands, what does it mean, he wonders. The girl tells him, the lotus hides in the forest. Pi asked, “Why lotus will hide in the forest?”
At the end when Richard Parker, the bengal tiger left unceremoniously, Pi says, “All of life is an act of letting go but what hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.”
Is God exists? Book Vs. Movie:
The narrator promises at the beginning that he will prove God exists. Well, in Yann Martel’s book he did, but in Ang Lee’s movie, did he or not?
The protagonist encounters a floating island of carnivorous algae inhabited by meerkats while shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean. At a book reading in Calgary, Canada, Martel explained that the carnivorous algae island had the purpose of representing the more fantastical of two competing stories in his novel and challenge the reader to a “leap of faith”.

Purana,consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction. It says, Vishnu lives in the ocean of milk with His companions. Photo: Hampi Museum by Shekhar Roy © Copyright 2012
In 2012 film “Life of Pi”, you see the floating island of vegetation with its own ecosystem that could be boarded and had animals living on it out in the middle of the ocean. It seems far-fetched, but does anything you notice in the movie?
Pi Patel’s confession of faith was regarding Lord Vishnu, the Vedic God who masters the past, present and future, the one who supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates and develops all elements within. Its called Vishnu sleeps in the ocean of milk with his companions. Did you see very carefully the structure of the floating island? The moment Pi Patel and Richard Parker departs the floating island, the art-director shaped the island like sleeping Lord Vishnu. I was surprised to see the art work at a glance!
In my opinion the movie is a lifetime experience, so don’t miss the movie and as well if you did not read the book then read it too. “Life of Pi” is one of the remarkable walking art philosophy on the silver screen.
Morale: If belief is stronger than the faith, then self-strength will build you like a tiger!
Alternative Title : “Life of Pi”, The meaning of the floating algae island; is God exists?”
Medium of the Art-work: Water colour with added illustration,
Surface: Artist Paper
Size: A3
Read this review on IMDb: http://imdb.com/title/life-of-pi
With love
Vikram
Love your illustration, Vikram,
Thanks Shawn, you are most welcome! 🙂
thanks for this…i will see movie and read book upon your review here
Thanks for the words pasupatidasi! 🙂
The illustration is amazing
Thanks Arete Man, most welcome! 🙂
Hello Vikram, That novel is extraordinary and it contains a full definition of animals in literature. and the comments on religion and spirituality are very perceptive and inspiring. I met Yann when he was in kindergarten: Jiminy Crickets. His father was my thesis director and academic adviser the year I completed my honours B. A.. They live in Montreal. I should go a pay them a visit. Thank you for letting us know about the film. I would love to see it and hope it will be shown it in English.There is a language “police” in Quebec. It’s ridiculous. My love to you. Micheline .
Hi Micheline, on your visit, please don’t forget to tell Yann and his father many many thanks from me! 🙂
Always love
Vikram
I will. Yann’s father taught for one year only and I had the privilege of being his responsibility. It’s such a small world. I admire your talent as an artist.
Hugs,
Micheline
I bought the book, but haven’t started reading it yet. I enjoyed your review. I will definitely see the movie when I am done with the book.
Most welcome gigglinggranny! 🙂
Reblogged this on Cassie Being Cassie and commented:
One of those books I have never got round to reading. I must rectify that soon!
Hi Cassie, thanks for the reblog! 🙂
Always love
Vikram
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hi Vikram, thanks for your review of this powerful film. I saw the trailer and I was caught by it’s ‘out there’ feel. I haven’t read the book because every one was blabbing about it when it was released. I will read the book before I watch the film. I find that it works for me. The film may be great, however, I find the at book holds the key. Thanks for your time and space.
Thanks Zari, yep I will suggest you to read first and watch the movie! The movie is very realistic indeed! 🙂
Always Love
Vikram
lol I mostly look at your blog for the things you draw/make just thought you should know :).
Thanks TheFirstWriter! Btw you like my art or not? I am passionate painter, not very professional. I draw them for my blog. 🙂
Always love
Vikram
yeah your art is very nice, I’m more or less jealous I can’t achieve the same lol.
-Jacob
Wonderful review Vikram. You really did the movie justice, unlike me: http://forcarol.com/2012/12/02/life-of-pi-movie-review/ Your painting is absolutely awesome.
Thanks Mike Pihlman, you are most welcome! 🙂
thanks for the review! Iam already waiting for it to be released here and loved your illustration
Thanks a ton Soumyav, the movie is nice! Its good to enjoy with family!
Always love
Vikram
Vikram, as always I enjoy your artistic interpretation. Better than the drawing in Martel’s book on my shelf! We’ll catch the film once it’s on Netflix. Cheers.
Thanks belasbrightideas for your lovely words, I will suggest you to watch it in 3D in theatre! The experience will take you into the middle of the Pacific and cloud capped star! 🙂
Good feedback Vikram, thanks! I will, if we get that privilege here on the Big Island of Hawaii! Peace, Bela
Good blog thank you for sharing!
You are always welcome willowdot21! 🙂
Love and big hugs
Vikram
Frankly…I did not like the movie apart from its 3d effects and the relationship between PI and the TIGER. For me, the philosophy of god is not well portrayed in the movie. May be I am wrong…my mind was not able to read the fine line….
Hi greenberrett, I think you are right. I post this review to interprete. Even I was thinking the same how Ang Lee established the existence of the Almighty in Life of Pi? Is it possible? 🙂
Much enjoyed your critique – full of life and abundant interest! Blessings johndwmacdonald.com
Hi John, thanks for the words. You are most welcome to read my posts!
Regards
Vikram
I’ll be honest — I didn’t read the whole post because I haven’t seen the movie yet and I really want to. However, I wanted give thanks to you for writing this review and including the beautiful illustrations and images. The one with the god sleeping on milk makes me want to research that part of myth/religion and learn more. Also, the painting of Pi in the boat with the Tiger is very beautiful.
Many blessings and Happy Holidays! (including Diwali) 🙂
Hi Kristobaldude, thanks for the blessings, wish you the same! If you want to research about the myth, I am always available to interprete.
Happy upcoming Christmas,
Vikram
I loved the book for its honesty. The writer/narrator does not attempt once to hide his very touching human frailty but through his revelations we eventually come to believe that this fantastic tale. I first heard the book being read in instalments on the BBC World Service and found this also a wonderful way to let my imagination paint the scenery. I will look our for the film. Good to see you on dragonshades, thanks for the visits.
[…] via “Life of Pi”, is God exists? Book Vs. Movie!. […]
Good review, Vikram. I saw the movie myself and thought it was brilliantly done, though my favorite parts were at the island and the scenes in India early in the film. I didn’t catch the island’s shape at first, however, and I thank you for pointing that out here.
Hi Troythulu, indeed its an exceptional movie, adventure in that level is breath-taking. I love this film!
good illustration 🙂
Thanks Naresh Ramadurai, happy happy Christmas and cheers for the new year! 🙂
Thanks buddy and wish you the same 🙂
Great review, i see we shared similar views on the film! Perhaps give my review a look when you have the time? Cheers http://conordcfc.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/film-review-life-of-pi-2012/
Thanks conordcfc, happy happy Christmas and cheers for the new year! 🙂
You have beautiful artwork…here on many other posts. Great following, too!
Thank you also for Liking my site. You are a true follower of Loving with Purpose and I thank you.
Thanks Kimberly Mitchell, happy happy Christmas and cheers for the new year! 🙂
Dear Vikram, what an outstanding illustration! I love it. Absolutely beautiful. Enjoyed the review, too, but of course you know I am especially a fan of fantastic artwork!
Thanks Kathryn, always love and big big hugs! 🙂
Hi Vikram, thanks for visiting my blog. I loved the book Life of Pi so much that I was afraid to see the movie, but I was stunned at what a good job they did. In my opinion the theological message in the book was also present in the movie, but it was stronger in my mind for having read the book first. I am suggesting to friends that they might enjoy the movie more if they read the book first, but either stands alone as a masterpiece, in my opinion.
Hi Julia, thanks for stating your wise opinion, I do suggest the same to read the book first then watch the movie, then people will get the theological feeling. Btw both the book and movie are awesome. Thanks for writing to my post,
Always love
Vikram
it’s a sleeping buddha, not shesha shayana
Vikram, your artwork and review both are awesome 🙂
best wishes 🙂
thanks abhi, always welcome! 🙂
It seems you really fully understand a lot related to this subject
matter and that shows throughout this excellent blog, titled
“Life of Pi, is God exists? Book Vs. Movie!
Vikram Roy’s Blog”. Thanks -Guillermo
Thanks Guillermo, always love and big big hugs! 🙂