Love review: Refined and successful psychological chamber film experiment

Khalid Rahman’s Love is a remarkable psychological chamber film which is a fitting piece of art for the current times which are witnessing a change in the cinematic experience. The beautifully minimalist tale is like an atomic bomb — small yet powerful.

The film revolves around a couple, Anoop (Shine Tom Chacko) and Deepthi (Rajisha Vijayan), and the confrontations they have. Both are frustrated to the extreme and even a pinprick can result in a full-blown explosion.

In such a volatile situation, things get aggravated as the husband and wife start talking to each other. The situation becomes even more muddled when their friends (played brilliantly by Gokulan and Sudhi Kopa) pay a visit and stay with them. We see so many dimensions of a family crisis and mental upheaval through these characters. Haritha (Veena Nandakumar) is another character who adds to the intrigue. Events wind themselves up and unwind within the four walls of a home (house, more appropriately), culminating in a heinous crime.

The cast deserves to be singled out for praise. Every artiste, even the one who only provides a voice-over, has delivered a remarkable performance. The subtle performances of Gokulan and Sudhi give such depth not just to the characters but to the overall story.

Johny Antony’s screen time is less than 10 minutes but those are among the more memorable moments in the film. Shine Tom Chacko and Rajisha Vijayan too deserve a special mention.

When it comes to the direction, Khalid Rahman has gone a notch higher in his finesse. After the critical and box-office success of Unda, he has successfully crafted a film that is so different from his past movies thematically, structurally and technically. The beauty of brevity is seen in the script, too. Little wonder, as the director has co-written the film with his editor, Noufal Abdullah.

The big photo with the smiling faces of the husband and wife, repeated horse symbols in the form of painting and sculptures, the details in the kitchen, the kind of game Anoop plays — the movie has an abundance of little things that add to the layered meaning of this psychological thriller. The cinematography by Jimshi Khalid and art direction by Gokul Das are commendable.

Love is like the hyper illusion 3D fancy cakes we see nowadays. You might think it’s a shoe or a wooden log or a coffee mug. You cut it open and there is an overdose of sweetness. In the case of the film, however, you may find something other than sweetness! An ideal watch for the times.

Love was screened at the 25th International Film Festival of Kerala.