Chronicles of Destiny: Narrative Threads in 'Life of Pi,' 'Slumdog Millionaire,' and 'Maharaja'
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This blog is part of the studio activity for the unit "Film Studies" by Professor Dilip Barad sir . In this blog, I will conduct a comparative analysis of the narrative frames in "Life of Pi," "Slumdog Millionaire," and Nithilan Saminathan's "Maharaja."
Before we dive into the movies, let's briefly understand what a frame narrative is....
"A story in which another story is enclosed or embedded as a ‘tale within the tale’, or which contains several such tales.(Oxford Dictionary)
LIFE OF PI :
The movie doesn't follow a straightforward timeline. Instead, it alternates between the present and past events. The story is predominantly told from Pi's perspective, providing insight through his eyes. However, there's a part where Pi's narration is questioned, casting doubt on the truth of his account. For instance, in the present, Pi recounts his survival story with Richard Parker, but he starts by narrating his parents' story. After 15 minutes, the narrative shifts to his childhood, which progresses chronologically. At exactly 22:32, the adventure story begins, where Pi, as an unreliable narrator, retells his tale. The main narrative unfolds from 35:48 to 01:48:30. The film intricately portrays the past using techniques like montage, zooms, and wide angles. Essentially, it follows two timelines: Pi's life and the present, where the author poses questions.
One can easily say that "Life of Pi" employs a non-linear narrative structure, intertwining flashbacks and various perspectives, such as the real story narrated to the officers and the imagined version shared with the author. The film's use of symbolism, religious themes, and philosophical questions, such as "Is there a God?" and "Which religion is better?" enriches the audience's engagement on multiple levels.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE :
Game Show:
Jamal's participation in the game show provides the structure for the current narrative. Each question serves as a gateway to exploring his past, creating a suspenseful and urgent storyline. The game show setting also offers a social critique, highlighting the stark contrast between Jamal's impoverished upbringing and the glamorous game show environment. This contrast draws attention to issues of poverty, class inequality, and the struggle for survival in Mumbai's slums.
Close-ups and tight framing during the game show scenes intensify the tension and emphasize Jamal's expressions and reactions. His character propels the narrative forward, driven not by greed but by a desire to reunite with his lost love, Latika.
Flashbacks:
"Slumdog Millionaire" extensively uses flashbacks as a powerful narrative tool to depict Jamal Malik's childhood and teenage years. These flashbacks illustrate the harsh realities of poverty, violence, and survival, immersing the viewer in the vivid and chaotic life of Mumbai's slums. Each flashback is triggered by a question from the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", linking Jamal's present knowledge to specific events from his past. Scenes of Jamal and his brother Salim navigating personal tragedies, evading oppressive authorities, and surviving in the slums highlight the resilience and resourcefulness that define Jamal's journey.
Police Interrogation Frame:
The police interrogation frame adds a new dimension of reality and suspense to the narrative in "Slumdog Millionaire." After his unexpected success on the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", Jamal Malik is detained and questioned by the authorities on suspicion of cheating. As Jamal explains how he knew the answers to each question, the interrogation sessions unfold his backstory through a series of flashbacks. The mistrust and harsh treatment Jamal receives from the police officers underscore the pervasive violence and corruption in the system, as well as the obstacles he has faced.
This storytelling technique not only heightens the tension but also lends a sense of authenticity to Jamal's extraordinary journey. The interrogation scenes ground the story's more fantastical elements in a harsh reality, enhancing the impact and believability of Jamal's ultimate success.
MAHARAJA :
Maharaja is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language action thriller filmdirected by Nithilan Swaminathan, who co-wrote the script with Raam Murali. A barber seeks vengeance after his home is burglarized, cryptically telling police his "lakshmi" has been taken, leaving them uncertain if it's a person or object. His quest to recover the elusive "lakshmi" unfolds. However, this film is all about "Art of editing."
This film significantly influences viewers' perceptions and observations of its scenes and settings. The protagonist captivates the audience throughout the storytelling, exploring a vibrant narrative atmosphere and dynamic framing.
The movie delves into compelling themes such as crime, thriller, family, and emotions. It portrays the emotional depth and consequences experienced by the protagonist, Maharaja (played by Vijay Sethupati), and the antagonist's power to control significant events and commit thefts of money, jewelry, and more. The creative interplay between past and present events is especially magical in this film. The depth of editing and scene placement is evident, making the chronological structure of the protagonist's and antagonist's major events coherent and impactful.
"Maharaja" conveys the idea that "what goes around comes around," suggesting that a person's actions, whether good or bad, will eventually lead to consequences. The movie reveals essential aspects of life, highlighting the importance of actions and their inevitable outcomes.
How the narratives are constructed and the techniques used to engage the audience ?
In "Life of Pi," "Slumdog Millionaire," and "Maharaja," the stories are meticulously crafted to engage viewers through striking visuals, non-linear narratives, and deep emotional layers. Flashbacks play a pivotal role in each film, allowing audiences to gradually uncover the protagonist’s journey by revealing past experiences that shape their current situation. This non-linear storytelling adds complexity and keeps viewers intrigued as they piece together crucial details and character development over time.
"Life of Pi" unfolds in the present day, interweaving flashbacks of Pi's childhood, the shipwreck, and his extraordinary sea voyage as he recounts his survival story to a writer. The film’s stunning visual effects and elements of magical realism create a fully immersive experience that captivates the audience.
In "Slumdog Millionaire," the narrative centers around Jamal’s participation in a game show, with each answer triggering memories of his tumultuous past and adolescence. This structure heightens the suspense and maintains viewer interest in Jamal’s journey. The vibrant and often harsh imagery of Mumbai's slums adds to the story’s emotional impact.
"Maharaja" blends elements of the past and present to craft a compelling storyline and build suspense. The film’s vivid portrayal of the protagonist’s life, combined with a gripping thriller plot, draws viewers into the narrative and challenges them to explore deeper layers of the story. The film’s character development, use of virtual themes, crime elements, and dynamic editing make it particularly engaging, offering audiences a captivating experience.
Narrative Approach :-
"Life of Pi" uses an interview format, with an adult Pi narrating his story to a writer. "Slumdog Millionaire" is anchored by the game show, where each question triggers a flashback. 'Maharaja' uses an episodic structure and uses the major life events.
Visual and Cinematography :-
As we compare the narrative technique used in this movie, it evokes a sense of realistic moments and good conversation. This narrative storyline makes comparisons between human nature and animal nature. The film also narrates the technique of emotional depth. The protagonist's emotions are connected with the Richard Parker (tiger), and after the end, Richard Parker has no emotions towards the protagonist (Pie). The story preserves the depth of the writer's eagerness to know the protagonist's story and elaborate the frames. In both films, we can also see the same kind of the technique like flashbacks, past and present sequences, emotional depth, and many other things.
"Life of Pi" employs magical realism and extensive CGI to create a fantastical yet poignant visual narrative. "Slumdog Millionaire" uses gritty, realistic imagery of Mumbai's slums, combined with energetic and vibrant cinematography. 'Maharaja' likely balances the dynamic action sequence with protagonist and antagonist journey of life.
In 'Slumdog Millionaire', we can clearly see the past or childhood memories, which helps in the game show to give the answers. In the same way, in the movie 'Maharaja', past events are used to understand the present storyline in certain ways. In 'Maharaja', they take revenge for something that happened in the past. The editing sequence of the past event and the present event should be connected in the end sequence of the storyline or movie. The sequences are interne connected in all these films.
Conclusion :
These three films masterfully weave intricate narratives, employing distinct storytelling techniques to explore profound themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit. While "Life of Pi" delves into the realms of faith, loss, and the power of imagination, "Slumdog Millionaire" offers a gritty portrayal of poverty, ambition, and the pursuit of love. "Maharaja" presents a thrilling tale of revenge and redemption, showcasing the intricate interplay of past and present. By skillfully blending flashbacks, multiple perspectives, and compelling visual narratives, these films captivate audiences and leave lasting impressions. Ultimately, these cinematic masterpieces demonstrate the versatility of narrative structures and the power of storytelling to transport viewers to different worlds and evoke a range of emotions.
References :
Thank you for reading.
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