Marco- A Vilent Tale of Loss and Revenge

Watched Marco yesterday. In the last decade, I have not watched such a plethora of violence and gore. The movie reminds me of the revenge plays in early Elizabethan period full of gore, bloodshed, murders and violence. This is not justice to compare a modern film like Marco with any Elizabethan drama but the fact that such bloodsheds and violence were crowd pulling elements since long back in the history cannot be overlooked. So, a film like Marco appeals to the primitive instincts of mankind, its thirst for power and blood.

Unni Mukundan as a film star is fully celebrated in this movie as he himself is the most commando-like hero in Mollywood. The role of the small brain-high power hero is handled well by him as Marco himself is equalled with the watch dog of the Adattu family. He himself admits his role and tries to protect his family but at the cost of the lives of many family members. But he does not regret his acts of vengeance against anyone or stay for peace. He knows only to strike and never yield. Such a hero is not normal in the mainstream cinema as heroes are never thought to be ruthless killing machines. But Marco becomes one as he is the Dobermann of the family, who knows only to attack to protect his dear ones even at the cost of his own life.

Marco is only a dog like servant to most of the Adattu family and even some of the children think of him as devil. Some children adore him while some fear him. He is their protector while being so evil to his enemies. But Marco’s side as a human being is not explored in this movie to much extent. His love affair is also a constant following and assurance of protection that resembles a faithful dog. He is nothing more in any sense and he does not want to become more than that. In no moment he is a consolation to any one or anybody emotionally but just as a bodyguard.

The swag and screen presence of Unni Mukundan in the movie is commendable. He dominates the screen and never seems defeatable except at the massacre of the Adattu family. But just after his momentary defeat he comes back with the same level of performance that he displayed in the first half. But the performance of the hero just before the massacre of the Adattu family was so powerful that his failure at the massacre scene seems unconvincing to some extent. Then his retaliation and success over his enemies after his utter failure as the caretaker of the family and as well as a lover seems more unbelievable. He ends as a lost hero with the only consolation of saving the last surviving member of the Adattu family.

What makes this movie an unforgettable experience is the background score by Ravi Basrur, the famous KGF music director who predominantly works in the Kannada film industry. His music helps to elevate the characterization of the hero and the mood of each scene. The music is so compelling that the audience themselves get into the violent action on the screen. The songs like blood and Marpapa are vibrant with emotion and an urge to strike for vengeance which go in line with the angry young youth. The whole mood of the film is orchestrated by Ravi Basrur’s magic.