Biarkan Bintang Menari

If you really have to watch this movie because your girlfriend is in a romantic mood, let it be boy. But prepare yourself by bringing your hp if it comes with a radio.

After having watched such a good movie as Arisan (2003), it is terrible to see what they come up with again in Indonesia. It seems that the only idea is to make money, but no one seems seriously to work on the image of Indonesia in the world of entertainment. That it is a 'global' world doesn't seem to come up in the minds of those who make movies in Indonesia. And since the Indonesian public swallows everything that is presented to them as 'Made in Indonesia' with a flavor of the west, they get away with it.

OK, the story is nice to begin with. And it could have developed into a nice flick. But did the director never think about the fact that a musical needs first of all live music OR at least good playback, and secondly good choreography? In this movie, the playback is SO BAD that it makes you wanna cry right there in the cinema. Every single word you hear is followed seconds LATER by the actor or whoever sing playback, and it is extremely annoying while watching the movie.

The choreography is as if they planned to make a movie about morning gymnastics, but in the end thought it would be nice to turn it into a musical... They only forgot to change the choreography. It is hardly dancing you see, they jump here and there, throw their legs up in the air, and that is about it.

Well, at least there's a happy ending.... But if you can convince your girlfriend that a nice candlelight dinner is much more romantic, DO SO!

watching this movie in a packed theater, i rejoice the movie as a teenage musical. a rare breed, indeed. the story, as it is, is nothing special. but the sight of a musical, in Indonesian, no less, is a relief. it indicates that any genre could speak for itself in Indonesia.

since it's about two people in love, the quality of this movie really depends on the its 2 leads. Ladya Cheryl (great in ADA APA DENGAN CINTA?) should be a big star by now. Her natural acting, her smile, her tenderness, her jolly moves are what the movie needs. Ariyo, as a novice actor isn't too bad, either. But they have no chemistry together. instead, the chemistry comes in the form of father-son relationship between Ariyo and his father El Manik (great actor, this one).

But, hey, it's not a complaint.

The complaint is rather on the songs and the music. in the dolby era, the

sound still centered in the middle front. it's like watching a movie in the 70's theater. The songs are too poppish to be musical numbers. And, oh, Memes (as Ladya's mother), boy does she wears a staggering make-up.

still, for director indra it's a major improvement from his earlier movies. and he's genius for casting Ladya, really. that girl can act. and beautiful. and, in this case, the savior of the movie (along with El Manik, of course)

so, nice try. 6.5 out of 10.

Biarkan Bintang Menari (Let's The Star Dance) actually a proper humanistic drama with some intense sequences. The premise is quite interesting, how reality and hope sometimes can collide. The act of the cast, especially Ariyo as Grey (personification of human character), where this is his film feature debut, he proves that he is as good as a singer. Ladya Cherril as the lead actress is mediocre, repeating her Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? act. Perhaps Ms. Ladya should explore another character type?

One thing, and it's a major thing, bother me is the musical number. What about it? Well, there's some note that I can relate to:

1. There's almost nothing a memorable song, not even a hummingable one.

2. The insert of the song seemingly derivative and came from nowhere and that's so annoying when watching the movies.

3. The musical is interrupting our emotion during watching the movies. When we seem drifts by the scene, the emotion is suddenly broken by the musical.

4. The dance sequences should choreograph with more serious. I know it meant comical, but not convincing at all; it dull!

So, after that disastrous "Andai Ia Tahu", actually Indra Yudhistira did a fine job. Sadly, he's totally wrong when he thinks he could make a good musical. Maybe he should watch Bollywood movies as inspiration instead?

5/10

What's with Indonesian musical movies? Never have I seen Indonesian musical movies like the ones made in Bollywood. They miss the spirit of the story and just a bunch of 'what they called' poetic lines.

This story about love of two kids who are separated and then meet again after a few years of changes has no special remarks. It's a simple story plot (but it's quite focused though) with 'meant to be' musical story lines here and there.

Confusing characters that should be saved by brilliant acting are neglected. The main actress may try to live up the character, but it's the best that she could do, trying. As for the casting, I don't feel the necessity to put a Balinese student in that story and of course, that's not the only unnecessary characters.

The strange thing is, why would I want to watch this movie? Maybe because of the mangoes...