a short film about killing(1988)

3.5/5

There is a young man who is wandering on the streets with dangerous intent. There is a taxi driver who is just doing his job. There is a young and idealistic lawyer who has just joined a law firm after internship. This is a story of how the paths of these people cross each other and the ways in which the three are radically affected.

The movie makes a strong statement about the very act of killing. It opens up with a scene which shows a cat which has been strung from its neck by a group of miscreant children. This is followed by two stunning scenes of murder and killing which will raise goose bumps.

The script is superb. The characters are well drawn and vivid. However, the supposedly strong statement against capital punishment does not come out that well. The defense arguments given by the lawyer in the court are described as being among the best made against execution by state but the viewer never gets to hear them and it stays as one of the weak points about the film.

The direction is top notch. However, this does not manage to touch your heart and pluck its strings like the directors’ short film about love.