ROLL-M |
p (starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis and Ben Shenkman; written and directed by Darren Aronofsky; rated R – violence)
Every once in a while a film that seems to have been conceived by and for Mensans makes its way into the mainstream. p is one of those movies. Winner of the Directing Award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, as well as a host of other international prizes, this rare picture will challenge your intellect while presenting an entertaining tale – no mean feat.
It’s a story both complex and yet simplistic. Max Cohen (Gullette) is obsessed with numbers and patterns. He uses his computer to try to predict patterns in the apparently random nature of the stock market and accidentally stumbles across what could be the key to the universe’s secrets, at least as perceived by a Hasidic sect. They’re after his discovery, along with a shadow consortium who are convinced he’s got the key to making a killing in the stock market. This conflict drives the story, but it’s not nearly as interesting as the main character himself, as he struggles with blinding migraines while puzzling over golden spirals, rectangles and ratios. Fans of Pythagoras and Fibonacci will be dazzled, while non-mathematically oriented M’s will find it hard not to be intrigued by these concepts.
The film itself is brilliantly executed, and Aronofsky is a director to be reckoned with. The black and white, hand-held camera work and occasionally overexposed footage could have been distracting in the wrong director’s hands. With Aronofsky in control, it merely heightens the texture and urgency of the film.
Side note: Watch for a list of Aronofsky’s friends, family and other "Benefactors" at the end of the credits. Each reportedly contributed $100 or more to finance this film, which is said to have cost a mere $60,000.
Additional side note: For more fun, check out the cool website at <www.pithemovie.com>.
FIVE OUT OF FIVE OWLS – A "MUST SEE"