In the world of Tamil cinema, high-concept thrillers are a rare spectacle, much like the Supermoon event that takes center stage in ‘Black’, the latest film featuring Jiiva and Priya Bhavani Shankar. This mind-bending thriller intricately weaves an intriguing narrative, leveraging the prowess of its core performers to emulate the thrilling essence of its inspiration, the 2013 Hollywood film ‘Coherence’.
The storyline of ‘Black’ unfolds as we meet Jiiva and Priya, who play the roles of Vasanth and Aranya, a couple planning a retreat at their newly constructed row-house villa. The villa, located within a serene gated community, becomes the focal point for almost the entire film. However, before their plans come to fruition, viewers are transported back to 1964 to witness a strange time-based occurrence tied to a Supermoon event. This inexplicable phenomenon reemerges, challenging Vasanth and Aranya to confront a reality that threatens to defy our fundamental understandings of time and physics.
With a narrative tightly focused on just two characters within a single location, ‘Black’ keeps viewers engaged with its thrilling and enigmatic storyline. The film cleverly employs looping scenes, each iteration revealing more than the last, a testament to the craftsmanship of debut director KG Balasubramani and his technical team, including cinematographer Gokul Benoy and editor Philomin Raj. As the narrative progresses, the intricately designed screenplay gradually unravels the mysteries, though it could have benefitted from more deliberate pacing.
The film’s tension escalates after establishing the personalities and relationships of Vasanth and Aranya, despite the interruption of two unnecessary musical numbers. Once within the confines of their new home, ‘Black’ shifts into high gear, ratcheting up the suspense as the couple grapples with the unfolding chaos. Although the film relies heavily on its two primary characters, unlike its source material, it successfully keeps the audience on tenterhooks for much of its duration.
While the first half is a whirlwind, the film does reveal some shortcomings in the latter part. A seemingly pivotal scene portrays Vasanth, in a state of disarray, leaving his home only to be mistaken by the police for someone connected to his wife’s apparent disappearance.
. This scene feels forced in its visual execution, despite its potential in writing. The central mystery of the Supermoon in ‘Black’ introduces an enthralling black force field, akin to a black hole, trapping the protagonists in a void where light does not escape, creating portals to alternate timelines.
Toward the film’s conclusion, viewers are entangled in a complex web of scientific and philosophical explanations. Concepts like superposition, parallel realities, and references to phenomena such as the Bermuda Triangle and Schrödinger’s Cat are introduced. For enthusiasts of time-travel paradoxes and alternate realities, these references enrich the experience, though they might prove overwhelming without sufficient context for those less familiar with such theories.
Despite these minor critiques, ‘Black’ shines due to the impressive performances by the lead actors. Jiiva, after a series of less favorable roles, delivers a performance that truly captures his potential, while Priya Bhavani Shankar excels in an equally significant role, portraying a character who navigates the narrative’s labyrinth without resorting to a stereotypical damsel in distress.
‘Black’, much like its thematic predecessors, stands out by refusing to spoon-feed its audience. Instead, it confidently upholds the genre’s complexity, inviting viewers to engage with its multifaceted narrative. The lack of simplified explanations might draw criticism, but it’s this very complexity that distinguishes ‘Black’, and films like the recently released Kannada movie ‘Blink’, from others that dilute their intellectual challenges.
Ultimately, ‘Black’ impresses with its captivating screenplay, stellar performances, and a robust technical crew, overshadowing its minor flaws. This well-crafted thriller leaves audiences eagerly anticipating the next high-concept cinematic adventure, hoping they won’t have to wait for another Supermoon for such a gripping experience. ‘Black’ is currently captivating audiences in theaters.
