Pi [DVD] [1999]

This dark and quiet thriller is about Maximilian Cohen, a brilliant mathematician who believes that everything in life revolves around patterns and numbers. For years he has been trying to find this pattern that could unlock everything we see and know. He starts with the stock market, the ultimate system of ordered chaos. The deeper he digs, the more insane he becomes. And the more he finds out, the more danger he is thrown into. The pattern itself proves to be just as deadly as the people who are after him. The twists and complexity will leave you in awe.

While this movie may be confusing at times, it still does its job and keeps us intrigued throughout the duration of the film. The acting and writing is really remarkable. Sean Gullette is very convincing as Max. I don't think there is anybody else who could've gotten the job done. Everybody else was also great in it as well. The film is also a debut from Darren Aronofsky; and a powerful one at that. Very well written and directed. Some of the camera techniques are really great and allow you to get inside of the main character's head.

"Pi" is a movie that requires you to think throughout the film and after. It's a film that will mostly appeal to those who like quiet and unique thrillers. There's no non-stop shootings or explosions in this movie. And it's not a film that everyone is going to like. However, seeing that the movie is only 85 minutes long, why not give it a shot? If you want something new and different, "Pi" is the film for you. A very outstanding picture.

Helped by a literate and well-researched script, co-written by the director and Eric Watson, as well as a strong and highly-developed central performance from Gullete, Aronofsky has built a claustrophobic, visually intense and innovative thriller. Shot entirely in grainy black and white and reminiscent of David Lynch's own halucinogenic debut feature `Eraserhead', as well as the films of Kubrick and Hitchcock, elements of this film have already had an influence on several directors, most notably Christopher Nolan. Superbly confident for such a young director, Aronofsky is not afraid to repeat himself and uses several recurring visual and aural motifs and segments of film in the manner of a great composer to enhance the insanity of the experience. Every frame is packed with stark imagery and an unmistakable ambience and his use of the camera and of sound to draw the viewer into the mind of Cohen is brilliant. At several points I started to think that it was going to sen me mad, and at one point I had to switch the DVD off for a few minutes and take a break. Not one for the faint-hearted. The thunping electronic soundtrack, provided by the likes of Orbital, Roni Size, Aphex Twin and Massive Attack, is inspired and perfectly fitting.

The extras on the DVD are some of the best I've seen, including my favourite on any disc, deleted scenes. The music video, `PiR squared', captures the feel of the film brilliantly in just under 3 minutes and the trailers are also very good. The obligatory `Behind the Scenes' documentary, complete with voice-over from Aronofsky and Gullete, happily doesn't take itself too seriously. It doesn't aspire to give an `insight into the creative process' so common in these affairs, nor does it become outrageously sycophantic, another common annoyance. It is essentially a light-hearted affair (and the narrators know it), a welcome break after watching the film, with the cast and crew clowning about backstage, although the little in-jokes begin to grate after a while. The director's commentary is very good, and gives an insight into film-making on a budget, and Sean Gullete's commentary is also very good.

In short a worthy winner of the Director's Award at the Sundance festival and a worthy addition to any Film lover's collection.