PI

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DARREN ARONOFSKY
STARRING: SEAN GULLETTE, MARK MARGOLIS AND BEN SHENKMAN

"The 'Jewish' science-fiction thriller." "The best use of sixty thousand dollars (the film's budget) for entertainment I've seen." If none of these statements is appealing enough, then perhaps mentioning that PI is nothing short of brilliant would be satisfactory.

For many a year, decades to be precise, the sci-fi movies that have dominated the cinema have commonly featured rays guns and warp engines, concepts, which though intelligent and creative are heavy on fiction side of the phrase. In fact, over 95% of science-fiction can be classified into that league. PI, however, is one of the rare gems; the rare accomplishments which has science embedded firmly in its roots.

The premise behind PI is fascinating: A mathematical genius with debilitating migraines, Max Cohen has constructed a supercomputer named Euclid that seems to be able to predict the rhythm of the financial markets. As this has potential investors waiting with bated breath to snatch it from him, a mysterious string of 216 digits keeps manifesting in its data. Max soon approaches his mentor for advice, and the advice he gets is to stick with the math, not the pattern, because if he looks for a number he will always find it "and then you will be a numerologist, not a mathematician," says Max's mentor.

His search for the meaning of this pattern leads him to a Hassidic Jew with a penchant for Jewish numerology (Gematriah) who is also searching for the 'bug' deep inside the number PI himself. This leads Max to a disturbing hypothesis for the string of cryptic numbers (skip to the next paragraph unless you wish to read this small plot spoiler): Max's invention may be the key that can unlock the grand pattern embedded in all creation -- as well as unveiling the true mathematical name of God.

The acting in this film is commendable. Sean Gullettte, who plays Max Cohen, embodies the well-known icon of the "mad scientist" and uses his screen time to expose his genius and his madness. Mark Margolis, who plays Max's mentor and colleague Sol Robeson, gives a performance that is reminiscent of Paul Scofield's fatherly figure in Quiz Show. As for the Jewish representation in the film, it happily leaves nothing to be desired. Ben Shenkman and Stephen Pearlman who play Lenny Meyer and Rabbi Cohen respectively, are fully developed characters whose only stereotype is an understandable Brooklyn accent. These observant Jews are shown doing what observant Jews do and not the public impression of what that is (All the Judaism references are cool and accurate to boot).

Aronofsky picks the right shots as a director and doesn't waste an opportunity. While the camera is moving frenetically, observing each of Max's migraines and delusions, the shots picked aren't at random to indicate a sophomoric attempt at avant-garde filmmaking; they include metaphors and foreshadowing in reference to Max's problems. The final shot in the film, of leaves covering a bright sun, is thought provoking as it parallels the plot; it is what Max chooses to see over what truly exists.

The plot by itself is a unique achievement on its own. Aronofsky manages to engage us into thinking that math can be fascinating and dangerous. He begins by explaining simple mathematical concepts and theories to us through Max (among them are theories by Archimedes and Pythagoras) and tosses them through the scientific method to reach his hypothesis. It lends the plot substance and credibility. It dupes the audience much in the same way great special effects make the unreal realistic; it takes a few moments to realize that some elements are 100% fictitious. The film tends to spend too much time on Max's delusions and illness, but there wasn't much more that could be added to the mathematical plot to begin with, so it's negligible.

As not only a first feature for Darren Aronofsky, but also as a black and white, low budget independent film, this film exceeds all expectations, and has put this director on the map. Aronofsky has already won the Best Director Award at the Sundance film festival, which is the "Academy Awards" of independent films. Due to its limited release, PI is only playing at the Angelika Film Center, located on the corner of West Houston St. and Mercer St.