INTERNAL INFIRMITY: A RESULT OF EXTERNAL REALITY

The English actor, Mark Strong opined: “When you're making a psychological thriller, what you need to do is have an audience on shifting sand so they're never quite sure where they are.” 

Bang on!

“ಮರ್ಮ” (‘Marma’, which translates to ‘Secret’) is a 2002 Kannada movie, which takes that sentiment to an extreme. The thriller weaves complex psychological illnesses like schizophrenia, split personality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc., into its narrative. Made on a shoestring budget, it was a hit.

Recently betrothed to her fiancé, Anand (Anand), Sudha (Prema) mysteriously goes missing for a few days. She returns home later with some injuries to her head. Seemingly suffering from amnesia, she begins to behave spookily, which puts the family on tenterhooks.

Sudha, on top, claims to have witnessed a murder; as proof, she shows a button apparently yanked out of the killer’s jacket. She even begins to act like someone possessed and hallucinates about physical attacks and sexual assaults by the killer.

Psychiatric evaluation and occultist intervention fail to cure her. Her delusions stress out all her near and dear ones, who are at their wit’s end. For her safety, they get the premises secured with guards, grills, cameras, etc.― all that is of no avail too.

In due course it is found that a murderer is indeed on the loose. The film at this point moves away from a psychological-paranormal thriller and assumes the dimension of a crime-whodunit drama.

So how does the mystery unravel itself?

Ace director Sunil Desai keeps you on the edge of your seat, particularly in the first half. His gripping script and fast-paced, non-linear screenplay entail a flurry of onscreen activity, which creates a blur of excitement for the viewer. It could have been tighter though.

However, just when you expect the suspense to be built to a crescendo, it peters out tamely as a damp squib…if only because Desai loses focus on his theme and clutters his canvas with too much stuff. 

Result: Banality…and, a ‘what could-would-should have been’ feeling!

Guna Singh’s music enhances the levels of anxiety and anticipation. HC Venu, the cinematographer, has brilliantly turned his camera into an active narrator, which ups the ante on the thrills. 

As the female protagonist, Prema has done a fine job with her rendition. Anand is a tad too stoic and unexpressive in his role. Arun Sagar, Hemashree and other lend support.

In short, the film sizzles first…only to fizzle later.

I rate this thriller: 7.0 on 10!