Dead Dead Full Dead Film review

A film's setting is something that is mostly an after-thought for many filmmakers. But for Dead Dead Full Dead, the moment it opens with a near-empty hospital premises in the dead of the night, the film immediately makes it clear that setting is everything.

This creative decision also makes sense because the world that the film explores is absurd and fantastical. Thus, to ensure convincing world-building, setting becomes key. The film starts with Patil, a police officer with electrical powers in one of his hands, which effectively sets up the fantasy aspect of the film. Once this is done, it makes the subsequent scenes, such as the one where a baby goat randomly turns into a toy, believable. These fantasy elements also have an absurdist touch to them which results in the film's strongest suite - humour. Scenes like the husband nonchalantly reacting to his wife's murder before enthusiastically leaving to be a part of a cricket match at 3 in the night or the househelp filling balloons with cooking gas or Basanti Bachchan sleeping with her school clothes on so as to avoid exam-related nightmares are so senseless that they're hilarious. The absurdity is not just restricted to scenes but even expands into the plot. Finally, like a cherry on top, the entire film takes place in one single night which is one of my favourite tropes that adds an otherworldly feeling to an already whacky film.

The Rashomon-esque structure that the story adopts is tailormade for a whodunnit like this where multiple characters are prime suspects in the murder of Era, even the police officers investigating the case. Infact, the way in which the police unexpectedly become the suspects is an interesting take on the Rashomon style as it involves a little bit of time manipulation. As a result, the viewers find themselves in a very confusing position, mirroring exactly how all the characters feel. Given this well-constructed buildup, we expect a strong resolution to wrap up the investigation. However, all we get is a complicated, fantastical phenomenon that tries to explain the mystery behind the murder. You do get a gist of what the film is trying to say but it seems to be too caught up with its own fantasy rules and mechanics. We’re fed all the necessary information but are never able to taste any emotional impact since we don’t understand the motivation behind the main perpetrator’s decision to commit this murder.

There is also this apparent awkwardness in the acting, editing and the sound design that tend to pull the film down considerably. It almost feels like the actors have still yet to grasp the unusual world that the film presents. Except for Swastika Mukherjee, who completely understood the assignment and plays Era with all the eccentricities that the film’s whacky tone requires. Despite all these noticeable issues, I know for certain that this film will live rent-free in my mind for the days to come. I might forget its characters or its plot, but I will definitely remember the film’s absurd tone and unreal setting.

By Vashist Thakwani