Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay and Direction
Technical Aspects and BGM
Breaking 'Ghost' Stereotypes!
Featuring a host of debutants, Mysskin has pulled off a decent paranormal thriller by consciously avoiding the clichés usually associated with a ghost movie.
Cast: Naga, Prayaga, Harish Uthaman, Radha Ravi, Kalyani Natarajan, Kani Kusruti & others
Cinematography: Ravi Roy
Music: Arrol Corelli
Editing: Gopinath
PRO: Nikkil Murugan
Written & Directed by: Mysskin
Produced by: Bala’s B Studios
Distributed by: Sri Thenandal Films
Release Date: 19-12-2014
Run Time: 01:53:00
Mysskin’s latest offering Pisaasu is a disappointing film, but is still better than 90% of Tamil films released this year. Pisassu is not the regular horror fare that sends shivers up and down your spine, but a story of a ghost, a friendly ghost to be precise. We don’t have a supernatural ‘evil’ spirit here. The ghost here doesn’t come back to wreck vengeance on the murderers. These are the prominent differences you would find between Pisaasu and the regular films dished out as ghost flicks in K’town.
Mysskin has made a half-hearted attempt to delve deep into the realm of ghosts in Pisaasu. Though the film may not satisfy the discerning cinephiles, it is indeed one of Mysskin’s most accessible films with a simple storyline.
The film opens with a hit-and-run accident by a car driver and an unknown woman (Prayaga) succumbs to death. Everyone on the spot, including Naga (plays a violinist), who happens to be on the adjacent road, rush along to help Prayaga but she’s declared dead while breathing her last holding Naga’s hand as soon as she’s taken to the hospital. Much to the surprise of Naga, Prayaga stays in his house and haunts him after death. She doesn’t want to avenge her killer. She’s not yearning to come back for love. Then, what could be the purpose? Mysskin has tried to explore this with his trademark narration.
Featuring a host of debutants, Mysskin has pulled off a decent paranormal thriller by consciously avoiding the clichés usually associated with a ghost movie. The film is replete with Mysskin’s quintessential motifs. There are some splendid metaphors. But the third-act is underwhelming with the final twist not hitting the bull’s-eye this time.
Newcomer Naga has come out with a winning performance as the lead followed by Radharavi, who has delivered a powerful performance. Kalyani Natarajan (of Saivam fame) as Naga’s mother has pulled off her role with ease.
Arrol Corelli’s music is spellbinding with superlative violin pieces. He has delivered a terrific background score, the kind that lingers in ears for long. Ravi Roy’s cinematography is simple and effective with beautiful frames and shot compositions that you would usually expect from a Mysskin film. Gopinath’s editing is a huge strength since the running time is less than two hours and makes you overlook slips in the narration.