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Pi

  • 1998
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
185K
YOUR RATING
Pi (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer0:27
2 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorMystery

A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.A paranoid mathematician searches for a key number that will unlock the universal patterns found in nature.

  • Director
    • Darren Aronofsky
  • Writers
    • Darren Aronofsky
    • Sean Gullette
    • Eric Watson
  • Stars
    • Sean Gullette
    • Mark Margolis
    • Ben Shenkman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    185K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Darren Aronofsky
    • Writers
      • Darren Aronofsky
      • Sean Gullette
      • Eric Watson
    • Stars
      • Sean Gullette
      • Mark Margolis
      • Ben Shenkman
    • 650User reviews
    • 139Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 8 wins & 12 nominations

    Videos2

    Pi
    Trailer 0:27
    Watch Pi
    'Pi' | Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:16
    Watch 'Pi' | Anniversary Mashup

    Photos132

    Renegade mathematician Max Cohen (Sean Gullette, left) and the leader of the Kabbalah sect, Lenny Meyer (Ben Shenkman) have a chance encounter on a Chinatown street corner.
    Sean Gullette and Pamela Hart in Pi (1998)
    Mark Margolis in Pi (1998)
    Sean Gullette in Pi (1998)
    Darren Aronofsky in Pi (1998)
    Darren Aronofsky, Sean Gullette, and Matthew Libatique in Pi (1998)
    Sean Gullette in Pi (1998)
    Elizabeth Hurley and Ben Stiller in Permanent Midnight (1998)
    Pi (1998)
    Pi (1998)
    Sean Gullette in Pi (1998)
    Pi (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sean Gullette
    Sean Gullette
    • Maximillian Cohen
    Mark Margolis
    Mark Margolis
    • Sol Robeson
    Ben Shenkman
    Ben Shenkman
    • Lenny Meyer
    Pamela Hart
    Pamela Hart
    • Marcy Dawson
    Stephen Pearlman
    Stephen Pearlman
    • Rabbi Cohen
    Samia Shoaib
    Samia Shoaib
    • Devi
    Ajay Naidu
    Ajay Naidu
    • Farrouhk
    Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao
    Kristyn Mae-Anne Lao
    • Jenna
    Espher Lao Nieves
    • Jenna's Mom
    Joanne Gordon
    • Mrs. Ovadia
    Lauren Fox
    Lauren Fox
    • Jenny Robeson
    Stanley B. Herman
    Stanley B. Herman
    • Moustacheless Man
    • (as Stanley Herman)
    Clint Mansell
    Clint Mansell
    • Photographer
    Tom Tumminello
    • Ephraim
    Henri Falconi
    • Kaballah Scholar
    Isaac Fried
    • Kaballah Scholar
    Ari Handel
    Ari Handel
    • Kaballah Scholar
    Oren Sarch
    • Kaballah Scholar
    • Director
      • Darren Aronofsky
    • Writers
      • Darren Aronofsky
      • Sean Gullette
      • Eric Watson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Directors Who Got Their Start at Sundance

    Directors Who Got Their Start at Sundance

    Did you know Everything Everywhere All at Once directors Daniels debuted their first movie at Sundance? Our timeline spotlights the directors and their films that broke big at the festival.
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    Editorial Image
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      No location permits were secured for any of the scenes filmed. The crew had to have one man constantly serving as a lookout for police so they could stop filming if needed.
    • Goofs
      Max mentions that the Golden Mean is represented by the Greek letter theta. In fact it is denoted using the Greek letter Tau or, more commonly Phi, whereas phi is used to denote 1/Phi. Phi is for Phidias, a 5th Century BC Greek sculptor who employed the ratio.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Maximillian Cohen: When I was a little kid, my mother told me not to stare into the sun, so when I was six I did...

    • Crazy credits
      Leonardo DaVinci listed under "Special Thanks"
    • Alternate versions
      DVD version includes deleted scenes:
      • Max being threatened by Farrouhk, Devi's jealous boyfriend;
      • Max climbing up a pile of discarded computer parts and monitors;
    • Connections
      Edited into Sabores do Saber (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      I Only Have Eyes For You
      Performed by Stanley B. Herman (as Stanley Herman)

      Written by Al Dubin & Harry Warren

      Published by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

    User reviews650

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Genius!
    I have yet to come even close to fully appreciating the sheer artistry and complexity of Darren Aronofsky's stunning mathematical/sci-fi thriller, "Pi". Watching this film, one can tell from the subdued effects, grainy black-and-white filter, and guerrilla-style filmmaking that this must be a low-budget independent film - NOT to try and downplay its impact, as many independent films can clearly surpass any typical Hollywood movie, in terms of style and subject matter.

    "Pi" is a perfectly concrete example of how the relative absence of special effects, explosions, etc. can still help create an engaging, and thoroughly unique viewing experience. Overflowing with intensity and hyperkinetic camerawork, this is a frightening roller-coaster ride of a film; despite clocking in at less than 90 minutes, "Pi" is by no means short on resonance - but rather leaves a heavy feeling of exuberance and fascination with the material that lasts long after it's finished. At the same time, though, people who aren't as open-minded to more obscure, abstract films like this would be, I think, surprised. This is not as complicated or bewildering a film as I had expected. If one can be able to focus intently on the story, the result is rewarding, and doesn't provide for much head-scratching. Its style seems rather modern, rather hip...at times it reminded me of "The Matrix" (which, ironically, was released the FOLLOWING year) what with its slick techno musical score and its flashy opening credits.

    To shy away from this film simply because of its math content is to be completely shallow and ignorant. The way it handles the material is a whole lot more interesting than you'd probably think. Like "A Beautiful Mind", "Pi" is an instant classic that serves to re-awaken my erratic interests in my poorest subject, mathematics. It's original, it's interesting, and above all - genius.
    helpful•101
    51
    • quixoboy
    • Oct 5, 2003

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    FAQ20

    • How long is Pi?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 10, 1999 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
    • Also known as
      • 3.14159265358
    • Filming locations
      • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Harvest Filmworks
      • Truth and Soul Pictures
      • Plantain Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $60,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,221,152
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,069
      • Jul 12, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,221,152
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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