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Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Audience Rated by buyers R (Restricted)
Type of bind: DVD
Brand: Lions Gate
EAN num: 9780784012130
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
ISBN number: 078401213X
Label: Lions Gate
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
Quantity: 1
Picture Format: Letterbox
Publishing house: Lions Gate
Region Code: 1
Release Date: January 12, 1999
Running Time: 84 minutes
Sale Popularity Level: 5463
Studio: Lions Gate
Theatrical Release Date: July 10, 1998
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
A brilliant mathematician teeters on the brink of insanity as he searches for an elusive numerical code in this critically acclaimed schizophrenic thriller. Special features: commentary by director darren aronofsky and actor sean gullette deleted scenes interactive menus production notes and much more. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 02/18/2003 Starring: Sean Gullette Ben Shenkman Run time: 85 minutes Rated by buyers R Director: Darren Aronofsky
Amazon.com:
Patterns exist everywhere: in nature, in science, in religion, in business. Max Cohen (played hauntingly by Sean Gullette) is a mathematician searching for these patterns in everything. Yet, he's not the only one, and everyone from Wall Street investors, looking to break the market, to Hasidic Jews, searching for the 216-digit number that reveals the true name of God, are trying to get their hands on Max. This dark, low-budget film was shot in grey and white by director Darren Aronofsky. With eerie music, voice-overs, and overt symbolism enhancing the somber mood, Aronofsky has created a disturbing look at the world. Max is deeply paranoid, holed up in his apartment with his computer Euclid, obsessively studying chaos theory. Blinding headaches and hallucinogenic visions only feed his paranoia as he attempts to remain aloof from the world, venturing out only to meet his mentor, Sol Robeson (Mark Margolis), who for some mysterious reason feels Max should take a break from his research. This movie is complex--occasionally too complex--but the psychological drama and the loose sci-fi elements make this a worthwhile, albeit consuming, watch. Pi won the Director's Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. --Jenny Brown
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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Do not buy this movie IF you like Steven Segal, Jean Claude Van-Damme or Arnold, well you-know-who. Do not buy this movie unless you think the only passable Slyvester Stallone movie was Copland. Do not buy this movie if your entire reason for watching a movie is so you can spot a movie star to keep you attention from otherwise talking to your cheetos. Do not buy this movie if you do not like grey and white films. Do not buy this movie if you only like grey and white films with a happy ending and drugs. Do not buy this movie if the stock market, spiral staircases, hallucinations, annoying but sweet neighbors, ultra religious Jews, greedy Wall Street insiders, or good, mind numbing noir in general.
Do buy this film if you are a film lover. Much like a later work for Aronofski, it spells a decent into paranoia and madness by circumstances.
Out of 5 stars, 4.75
Rated by buyers -
This extraordinary b&w (as in "black" & "white") film is called Pi because it represents geometric value. The term "geometry" was very first known in the ancient world as "geomancy." I noticed other reviewers felt "gypped" because the film was not in color. I can't imagine it any other way--it deals in numerals & figures--the b&w concept is totally appropriate and masterfully done.
I have been interested in the metaphysical/alchemical concept of "The Great Work" for a long time. Recently I've re-focused on the subject after reviewing certain books & films (see links list below.) There are various interpretations of The Work, and there's no easy way to explain it, but I'll try: The Great Work is known as Jivanmukti in Hindu philosophy & refers to a complex system of Yoga ("yoke" or uniting) the devotee with Divinity; microcosm to Macrocosm; subject to the object; Cosmic Consciousness. In alchemical terms it is the search for the fabled Philosopher's Stone that can turn base metal into gold. Historically The Great Work has also played a role in magick ritual--both "white" & "black"--and has been described as a "dangerous path"--one that has reportedly driven Adepts mad.
In modern terms The Great Woek can be seen as the quest for finding The Theory Of Everything (TOE) in astro-physics and advanced mathematical terms.
Such is the background of "The Work" in a very capsulated overview.
In Pi the dramatic focus is on the hero's obsession to figure out the perfect number to play the stock market. This is obviously a materialistic interpretation of The Work. However, as the hero becomes increasingly strung out, deeper ramifications take hold of his mind.
The film is remarkable in its stark, often grainy blend of grey & white images, brought together in a surrealist/existentialist cauldron that borders on madness itself. There are very few actors in the movie, but their performances are deftly displayed by expert direction. Reportedly the movie was produced on a $60,000 budget.
This is an extremely visceral film & brutal in its examination of the political & religious exploitation of The Work. Some people are bound to be offended by certain aspects of this movie. For example, the protagonist is a secular Jew who meets a wise cracking, supposedly religious Jew who gets him involved with a rabbinical group of Jews who are working with Kabbalah, The Zohar & a computerized "Old Testament Code." Their goal is to enter the mind of god, to control the elemental power of creation.
These are the antagonists who, along the anti-hero's deteriorating mental state, degenerate into downright sinister characters. This aspect of PI might be a problem for some people, because the scenario comes dangerously close to reinforcing the International Jewish Conspiracy garbage promoted in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (i.e. that an evil "Cabal" of Jews run the world.) Maybe I'm reading too much into the script; I tend to see everything as a Political Conspiracy these days. I'll have to assume director Aranofsky knew what he was doing in regards to this aspect or possible interpretation of his absolutely brilliant film.
Throughout the movie the hero keeps gulping down handfuls of what I presume are amphetamine & he obviously has been up for a very, very long time.
This reminded me of the strange, unsolved case of Philip Taylour Kramer who disappeared along with his van on 12. February 1996. Kramer was a bassist in the 60's band Iron Butterfly. He was also a brilliant mathematician, computer programmer & technological visionary who apparently had top level government clearance. Reportedly he had been working on a faster-than-light communications system.
Before vanishing off the planet, Kramer called 911 from his van, claiming that he was going to commit suicide. His disappearance was almost immediately reported & extensive searches made; but neither Kramer nor his vehicle was ever found, not a single trace.
The following quotes are from: [deleted because external hyperlinks aren't permitted on Amazon reviews--readers can go to a search of Kramer. This one is posted under "skeptictank"]:
"I observed the growing rumors and the widening conspiracy yet I didn't think much of it -- until KTLA News here in Los Angeles ran a short five minute report on his disappearance and confirmed that Kramer had indeed been working on a faster-than-light communications system. KTLA reported that Representative James A. Traficant Jr. of Ohio was concerned about Kramer's disappearance due to the fact that Kramer held nuclear-oriented security clearances tied to the MX Missile project and due to the type of mathematical research Kramer was working on."
"What is in agreement is that Kramer's mental stability was slipping. Just days before ... Read More
Rated by buyers 
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This indeed is a low budget film and one of the worst sci-fi movies I've seen. It's totally in grey and white, which is not disclosed in description of the film as far as I can see. The acting is very lame, with little dialog. I found myself clinking the fast forward button to skip large portions of the film consisting of no dialog and just animated screams from the main character. He continually takes drugs of some sort for no clear reason other than headaches. The sound quality is so poor that it's difficult to make out the short dialog when it does occur.
How anyone can rate this as anything other than 1 or zero stars is a mystery to me.
Rated by buyers -
Very poor movie. Not recommended. Certainly does not rate anything over one star. I selected it on its subject matter and having four stars from other viewers. It clearly shows the low budget available. It was a waste of DVR space and $2.99.
Rated by buyers -
You need to see this. Period.
Pi is a gritty film with perfect pacing and an inventive story line. Enough folks here have discussed their interpretation and relevance of the film. See for yourself.
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