 Pi (1998) By tough-guy I mean Taxi Driver-style theatrics that seem a bit overblown, but Pi is full of so much originality and depth that it makes Taxi Driver look like DC Cab, although regardless, I'd say Taxi Driver and DC Cab are already both pieces of shit, but at least DC Cab has Mr. T. Sean Gullette plays Max Cohen, an "x-treme" mathematician whose reality becomes frazzled as he chases an elusive pattern found within pi, the same pattern that drove his math professor mentor to a debilitating stroke. Cohen is not a far cry from DeNiro's disaffected taxi driver in Scorcese's film, but Gullette plays it with much less hammy indulgence. (For another hammy indulgence, be sure to try the Ham Carver at Boston Market, now avaiable with your choice of sides for only $3.79 while supplies last. Better yet, go Vegan, you pork-faced porkie.) As Cohen gets closer to finding the truth behind the pattern, he finds himself harassed by a corporation that needs the number to predict the stock market, and a group of Orthodox Jews who need the number to find the true name of God. Much of the film recalls Cronenberg's film version of Naked Lunch, with uncomfortable hallucination sequences, fortunately not in this one involving any sexual roaches. Cohen's descent into madness is played off believably and with a lot of restraint, leaving grey areas ambiguous and allowing the viewer a greater deal of interpretive leeway than in the typical Scorcese film. Pi is shot entirely in black and white, capturing a bleakness that is as difficult to enjoy as Cohen's life apparently is. It's a challenging movie, but not over the viewer's head with wild concepts (like "Jewish Mathematicians" sometimes is—hey, look, I just started believing my own lies! Insanity awaits, and I'm not even a "genius mathematician"). The film straddles the line between the philosophical and psychological, ultimately taking shape as a thriller and losing a bit of steam at the point where the movie becomes somewhat more conventional. As Cohen's insanity deepens, he becomes a bit too much of a familiar character (shaving his head, for example—what is it about movie "crazy people" that causes them to shave their heads?), but the climax is still shocking and the resolution very satisfying. Overall a wholly good film, original and cool, with fresh cinematography and good music. Not a masterpiece, but not Taxi Driver either, thank god. Talking about this film doesn't do it justice, it really needs to just be seen. Imagine that! Usually simply reading my review of a movie should suffice.
Review by La Fée |