hanzy_boy

I'm not sure if "orang bule" (white folks) will actually read this review given that only five people rated this movie and this movie has no English subtitle (yet). But i wish they would give this movie a chance for subtitle translations because i think this movie is actually universally enjoyable. This isn't a festival-type of movie, but this is a good peek into the dilemmas of modern indonesia, also it is a good example of mainstream indo film and the story and the execution (acting, direction, setting, etc) are super well done.

It's a simple story about a girl from a traditional small town (kampung as we call it) who is obsessed with the popular rock band, DEWA19 (think u2, or coldplay). She lives with her protective old-school grandpa (played to comic perfection by the master, Didi Petet) who owns a fish grill restaurant (hmmm...yummy). She enters a drawing in which the winner will attend the concert in Jakarta (the big city...). By some stroke of luck and dedication, she got the ticket, defied her grandpa and snuck out to leave to jakarta. Let the misadventure begin.

What i enjoyed the most from the movie is one: the naturally effortless acting and chemistry of the characters, two: the beautiful country side setting and the authentic grittiness of jakarta, and three: the comedic episodes that show the many ironies of contemporary post-soeharto indonesia. The many comedic scenes that are set in jakarta are earnestly portrayed and most importantly, they remind me of the jakarta i know (but funny).

The weaknesses are obvious, like the obligatory romance, melodrama and 'life-lessons.' In indo movies, they're sorta required. But i got over them, because they're not overwhelming.

I guess if you're curious to see this, get with an indo friend and have them translate as the movie plays. The movie is visual enough so you will definitely pick up the story. The way the language sounds is also quite musical. You most definitely enjoy the scenery, as it reveals a lot about indonesia. Highly recommended.

Pure emotions put on screen!!! That's a rare thing nowadays. It blows my mind that it comes from robots. I haven't even begin to philosophise on that idea...And that's the beauty of this film, it has many dimensions, it is a love story first and foremost, biting satire, a social commentary, a call to action, and many other things you want it to be.

Too much good has been said about this movie...modern masterpiece, chaplinesque, pure poetry. So I'm not going to indulge in that exercise...The film has so many amazing moments: poignant, funny, joyful, that I'm going back for the second time (and third), to pick my favorite wall-e moments.

Having said all the praises, the movie is not pitch perfect (gasp!!), the second half of the movie gives us one of those clichéd let's-save-the-world plot. At times, the chase/adventure scenes pander too much to mainstream, the ending was a little rushed. But the second half also gave us the dancing in space scene (it's divine!!)

All in all, the movie was redeemed by the hearts and beauty of the two robots in love. Any technical glitch with the story or the pacing (though not with the animation, it was perfection) is easily forgiven. I'm looking extra-extra forward for edgy and envelope pushing new releases by pixar more than ever...just don't give us Toy Story 3 or Cars 2 (which they are working on!! wtf pixar??)

Let's get straight to the bad stuff first: Camera work, bad. acting, over done. crying scene, well they tried. sound, let's not go there. Editing, none! But if you watch this film right next to a homesick Jakarta-ite like myself, they'll tell you about the nuances in this movie that the bad translation could never get across. For example, you'll know that there are multiple languages, dialects and slangs spoken in the film, they don't only represent the diversity in the city but also social status, respect, even mood (Eliana mostly talks in a polite dialect to her mom but then when she's angry she turns to impolite Jakarta dialect). And besides anything Garin Nugroho did, I've never seen Jakarta presented as raw as it is in any film. But boy, was I pooping in my pants. From the vendors of delicious food, to the traffic, to the beta fishes in jars. I could almost smell it (that's good and bad). That's the grimy Jakarta I experienced, and I love.

I love this film for evoking that feeling. It's ashamed that it plays a little like a soap opera with the crying and the angry scenes. But for all the absurd quality of the production, the concept, the story and the effort (or lack thereof) are still way more genuine and authentic to the Indonesian experience than almost any corny Indonesian teeny boppy romantic comedy and horror films that are out there.