Life of Pi Part 1

I am going to start my first blog about Life of Pi which I saw a few days ago.  I only saw it in 2D and so I focused much more on the story and the symbolic imagery and undercurrents of the movie instead of the cinematography. Although I have to say even in 2D was quite spectacular. I now feel I need to see it in 3D to get what all my friends are talking about. Saying all this I did love the movie. I found it reminiscent of castaway which I found quite dull and boring. Life of Pi though had so many deep spiritual moments that although were not directly exclusively Christianity or about Jesus were great opportunities for the Holy Spirit to speak. It is true that there is a lot of pluralism in the film but young Pi is desperate to find his God and this is true of all of us. I believe that to some degree there on the ocean he found him. 
There are many moments of wisdom in the film his father says to him round the dinner table if you believe in everything then you will believe in nothing.

As Pi starts his journey and his adventure it is clear that there is someone keeping him alive his father God providing everything that he needs and for those of us who are in a relationship with Jesus this is our experience that our father provides what we need when we need it. One of the most comical moments is when Pi is moaning about how he has nothing to eat and at that moment he is literally bombarded with flying fish who put on an incredible show of elegance at the same time as providing dinner for Pi and his tiger friend Richard Parker.  It reminds me of when God provides dinner from heaven in the Exodus and Manna appears everywhere and even the sense of humour of our God.

Then there is the cinematography especially the jellyfish scene which on one hand is extremely ridiculous how that young lad never dies I will never know but then it was a movie and not a true story. Anyway this scene was beautiful and it is how I imagine heaven to be in some way more beautiful of course but for me it was like a glimpse into the spiritual realm of colour.  I often think of these hidden places on earth having like spiritual value in some way almost as if there was a cross over between what is physical and what is spiritual of course we know that is true but in a physical way.

One of the most touching scenes is when Pi talks to Richard Parker about the fact they are both dying and he rests the now defenceless animal on his lap and they both fall asleep and despite the fact that we know they are both going to make it the scene is very emotive and moving I shed a tear I have to confess.

The allegorical story which is explained at the end which we are never sure which is the truth it is up to us to decide 
My favourite quote of the film is when he writes in his diary "The fear of the tiger kept me alive and gave me purpose for living."
It is God or even the Tiger which gives Pi strength to carry on going.  The Tiger even draws the faith out of Pi in fact he in some ways shows him that within him he has all he needs to survive and it is with us that within Jesus we have all we need to not only survive but over come.
Towards the end of the movie when Pi is washed up on the shores of mexico and Richard Parker the Tiger disappears into the Jungle without turning around and Pi is very upset that he doesn't say goodbye after all they have been though together.
It reminds me of when Jesus it there one minute and gone the next he doesn't stick around he explains to the disciples that the one who is coming after me will be able to help you and not only you but many more of course he is talking about the Holy Spirit.  Jesus couldn't be there in person anymore but now he was there in spirit.
For me that is the same with the Tiger, the Tiger represents God in the movie or faith in God we need to have a healthy fear of God and feed our faith for him. That reverence is what keep us alive setting us apart for a life of purpose. Despite the power of the tiger or of God he came as Jesus and was willing to show fragility just as the Tiger does. Our God shows vulnerability yet power and strength at the same time.

At the end of the movie the writer suggests that Pi is the Tiger and you could come to that conclusion but for me it is so much deeper. It is rather Pi has to become the Tiger just as we have to become Jesus or even God to others not in a arrogant way but in a loving compassionate way we become the message.

And so it is with God - It is our opportunity to choose faith but also a relationship with God is subjective and God is not scared of that it isn't meant to be a set of rules but rather a journey of love and exploration which is what this movie is in many ways

There is still much I didnot get the first time so think I will be going back to see what it is like in 3D and what else God shows me :)