Mercury movie review: Live audience's response

Kamal Haasan's Pushpaka Vimana (1987) remains a masterpiece as its uniqueness was that the film had no dialogues and everything was conveyed through expressions. The film won audiences' heart across the nation. 31 years later, another silent movie has been made in the Tamil film industry. Young filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj pushed the envelope and has made Mercury without any dialogues.

Multifaceted Prabhudheva plays the lead with Sananth Reddy, Deepak Paramesh, Remya Nambeesan, Shashank Purushotham, Indhuja and others in the cast. S Tirru has handled the cinematography department, Santhosh Narayanan has composed the music, while Vivek Harshan has edited the silent thriller.

Story:
The story of Mercury is inspired by real-life incidents like the Bhopal gas leak and more importantly from Mercury poisoning in Unilever's Kodaikanal factory which caused irreparable damage to its employees and reportedly took away many lives. In short, the film throws light on how powerful corporate exploits villages. 

Five hearing impaired friends (Deepak Paramesh, Anish Padmanabhan, Sananth Reddy, Shashank Purushotham and Indhuja) meet for a reunion at a bungalow. They decided to go on a night drive which turns out to be their worst nightmare when their car hits a man (Prabhu Deva). They fear incrimination and bury the body at a nearby chemical plant. But the real drama begins the next day after they return to the place to collect the lost mobile. 

Analysis:
The audience have hailed the courageous attempt by Karthik Subbaraj for making a silent film when commercial potboiler rules the roost. The film has a wafer-thin storyline. Although there are no dialogues, the director has effectively used Santhosh Narayanan's background score to convey the emotions. 

Here, find the viewers' response to the film:

Od: #Mercury 1st half is poor(except for one rlly cool scene which foreshadows the ending).
2nd half is good with some rlly interesting moments thanks to Prabhudeva who is superb here.
Excellent work by Santosh Narayan who pretty much owns the film with his background music.
#Mercury is fit for a debut director to leave a mark. Not for Karthik who has just given Jigarthanda & Iraivi.

Also film is clearlyyyy inspired from Dont Breathe.

Iamkeshavamurthy: Must watch #Mercury movie. Wonderfull and emotional subject. Heart teaching twist. Tx to @rakshitshetty And @PUSHKARA11 promoting for good movie. Well dirction @karthiksubbaraj sir. pic.twitter.com/vFcyljKJtw

Christopher Kanagaraj: #Mercury - Film slowly picks up after 40 mins, Very less thrill moments; has shades of 'Dont Breathe'. Prabhudeva & Sanath perf is gud. BGM is nt so intense. Cinematography is superb. Nothing new in the presentation or story, except d 'silent' attempt. Njoyable nly in parts. Avg!

Ram: @karthiksubbaraj - Phenomenal movie, we need guys like you. In iraivi you teased us with razor sharp dialogues, here its a poignant story telling. Reminded me of your initial short film on war...#Mercury - hats off!

Mohamed Azaruddin: Awesome movie.. Excellent screenplay,
Music making us sit on the edge..
And a perfect message to end the movie.
CORPORATE EARTH
CORPORATE
ATE EARTH
#mercury film
@karthiksubbaraj
@Music_Santhosh
@PDdancing

Hisham: #Mercury first half is thrilling and very engaging despite being no dialogues. Santhosh Narayan's melodious tune serves the purpose though.

Farhan Mohamed: @karthiksubbaraj Wah whatta brillaince.. Just finished watching #Mercury A True Masterpiece Movie Kudoooos

Cinema Radar: #Mercury Movie Review - Decent Attempt
#prabhudeva performance is good
BGm Stands out
Cinematography is top notch
But story lacks finess
Though Mercury is technically Fantastic
But it could have been better
Watchable for different Experience : 3/5
#krishnarjunaYuddham

 Pradeep: #MERCURY leaves your heart heavy after the movie. No one could have explained the hard truth of corporates exploiting our daily lives in such a way. Respect doubles for #PRABHUDEVA
#KARTHIKSUBBARAJ you are one extreme talent

Pranita Jonnalagedda: As we took the interval break for #Mercury, I wasn't sure what to think of it. But towards the end, I was thrilled. Loved the experience of watching a silent film on the big screen. Who knew you'd feel such emotions despite no words!

Rj Shiv: #Mercury is well made film by @karthiksubbaraj Even though 1st half has nothing to offer, engaged with 2nd half & climax is touching. @PDdancing did superb job Appreciate #Mercury effort

Prashast Singh: #Mercury has a slow yet decent first half. It's really a refreshing and different experience to watch a silent movie but still the sign language is a bit hard to interpret at times. The interval bang is a major high point. Waiting for second half.