Movie Reflection
Ang Lee’s “The Life of Pi”
Religion is complex to understand. It is more than the theoretical understanding. One may employ the practical nature of particular beliefs that clinch with a particular religion. Religion must be aligned to certain practices that distinguish one religion from another. Some of these practices may be termed as ‘unworthy’ by other religions. However, religion seems to venture in a direction that nobody can exactly explain. For instance, Christianity, Islamic, Hinduism, Jewish, and Buddhism all channel their various faith to different supper being. Surprisingly, a fight may be ensued among these religious groups due to their differing faith matters. The puzzle results in a conclusion that love is the universal religion that should dictate all the races regardless of their religious boats. Ang Lee’s film “The Life of Pi”, based on the novel by Yann Martel under the same name, describes the ultimate love that should wipe out religious differences.
Religion is carved in visuals and metaphors. Ang decided to use visual and metaphorical effects to pass the message. Such imageries are beneficial to viewers who may find it hard to understand its message. It would have been hard to understand religion in a plain narration. Literary, religion is also hard to understand; hence it needs deeper explanations and elaborations that should aid the audience to consume its content. In the traditional view of religion, it is rooted in doctrines, traditions, and community. That is the leading route of knowing God. The real and spiritual worlds are then bound to create a sense of religion.
There cannot be a better religion. This statement is scooped from the fact that all religions have different elements that totally and partially differ from one religion to another. In the film, Pi goes through various religions in the quest of knowing which might show a ‘better story’. For instance, Pi’s tale concerning a tiger and a lifeboat, “…no one can prove which story is true and which is not”. His question is diligently responded that understanding God is the ‘better story’ that people should believe and that his survival in the boat is as a result of believing in Him. Understanding the supreme powers of God can be the best option in practising religious.
Religion is denoted with sacrificial devotion. Pi takes himself as the Biblical saviour, Christ, who came was sent by His Father to redeem the world. Pia thinks that his father’s decision to becomes wild creatures’ prey is equivalent to the saving process of humankind. The creation of this parable is to employ the ultimate aspect of ‘divine love’ that God has for His naturally sinful human beings. Passion sufferings is a great devotional love for humanity. One may doubt that sufferings are not part of love, hence dismissing the place of Christianity in life. However, this religious puzzle is more understandable if engaged in a true connection between realism and spirituality.
Religious conflicts are inevitable. In the film, Pi is involved in a religious disagreement between him and the people next to him. Despite Pi knowing science, he is determined to experience such spiritual struggles to neutralize his imminent science. Significantly, the protagonist has to experience for people who cannot afford to step out of their original religion. However, amidst the religious differences, love is the greatest aspect that believers should embrace. Pi is contented by Mr Kumar, a Muslim, who acknowledges that “God is the greatest”. Similarly, all things in the world exist due to the dire love of God.
In conclusion, religion is hard to understand. Ang Lee’s film “The Life of Pi” has successfully presented multiple ideas of religion amidst science. One may get cornered by spiritual and scientific knowledge concerning existence. However, every religion satisfies its faithful believers; a spiritual feeling that cannot be fulfilled by a different religion. Nonetheless, love is the ultimate aspect of true religion.