Can a tale about an unnerving, cold-blooded psychopath be more dauntingly empathetic? Can a tale about a dystopian merciless world, be more humane? Can a psychopath, bereft of emotions, be subjected to love and humanity, hoping to fill the vacuum lack of emotion? This is the take Mysskin explores with his showpiece, “Psycho”.
“We are simultaneously Gods and worms”. Angulimali was born a human, treated as an animal and eventually became a worm. Gautham's blind love for Dhagini is showcased with the soulful “Unna Nenachu”, which brings Gautham to Dhagini’s gaze for the first time. At the same time, she is clear that she can't love Gautham out of sympathy for him being blind. She struggles to deal with her big basket of emotions and when she does see him, things go astray.
Meanwhile, of all the 13 victims Anguli had decapitated brutally, it is Dhaagini’s eyes that pose a major challenge, not allowing him to lower his blade while Gautham is in search of the only thing he yearns, her love. The events that unfold in the lives of these characters and others is the story of Psycho.
Be it Udhayanidhi, Singam Puli, the girl's father or Anguli, they all come from the same brilliant mind, the true star, the man behind the madness- Mysskin. Gautham embodies the philosopher Gauthama Buddha, as evidenced by several scenes in the movie, such as with the idol, the silhouette of the tree behind him and many others, while Anguli is a clear reference to Angulimala from Buddha’s tale. Dhaagini being not just another damsel in distress but also a symbol of Sita imprisoned in Lanka was a stroke of genius. Nithya Menon, a light from the depths of darkness; Singam Puli, a loyal companion and the teacher, clouded by misunderstood prophecies completes a wonderful list of perfectly defined characters. The subtle development behind the character of Anguli and his fear of loneliness exposes the power and unique style of storytelling.
Irony as a travel companion plays a huge role in making each stop memorable. The perspectives of the characters narrate a whole new story to us with a sleek editing pattern. Each shot demands progress and engages us completely, with a clear paradigm of David Mamet’s masterpieces. One can never take their eyes off the screen, with the intensity going higher and higher in each frame.
Raja's songs and background score intensifies the journey, especially the placement of ‘Neenga Mudiyuma' stirring the deepest of emotions. The audiography and strong technical post production pulls the viewer deeper into the world of ‘Psycho’.
