Change Your Image
gc_susetyo
Reviews
Gie (2005)
Not perfect, but good job nevertheless
I would have to agree with another comment giver on this movie about the vagueness of Gie's relationship with his father, the human side of Gie that only appeared in the latter part of the movie, the fact that Gie always seemed to be sheltered from the fistfights that rampantly broke up among the debaters at the university, and the narration style that was rather monotonous and unclear. However, I must say that when watched in a more relaxed mood, I really did enjoy the cinematography of this movie. The soundtrack and the casting were fabulous as well (umh, hello, you don't get any better than Nicholas Saputra!).
However, I'm rather disappointed with the plot of the latter part of the movie, but since this was based on true story then I really can't blame the screenwriter--I just expected better from such an important and respected man in Indonesia's history.
Anyway, this movie is an interpretation of the life of Soe Hok Gie, a young Chinese Indonesian activist who lived in the 1960's and was an influential freelance journalist and university students' leader who opposed the communist party and the regimes of Indonesia's first presidents Sukarno and Suharto. His dream was to see Indonesia become a land truly founded on justice and righteousness, and his academic life was all about the fight to make this come true. Up to the point that he reaches the climax of seeing the Sukarno regime crumble down, I have tremendous respect for this person, and I still esteem him as a very important person in Indonesia's history. I am also proud to share his Chinese heritage. I just feel really pity, though, that Soe did not seem to be quite ready to grow out of an intellectual student's life and face a new season afterwards. Do watch the movie to find out what I mean. I think it should be legitimate, though, to hint that you won't be disappointed with the way the filmmakers portrayed the ending... I'll keep you curious on this one. WATCH IT!
By the way, if you read Indonesian, feel free to surf to my journal entry "Catatan Seorang Perantau" for my further thoughts on this movie and what I think today's intelligent young generation should learn from it. www.myspace.com/graceclarissa
Biola Tak Berdawai (2003)
Substantial
Very artistic and philosophical... it's definitely a movie that keeps you thinking for a long time. The story is unusual--about a woman who is battling against post-abortion trauma who has a passion for multi-handicapped children and takes care of a home and an autistic orphaned toddler called Dewa which she had adopted as her own son. An intelligent audience can't help but capture the heart of the story.
The casting is excellent--Nicholas Saputra especially makes a convincing music student who is very emotion-driven (while as Nico admits later on, his only experience playing the violin was that he had to learn to play this movie!).
I just regret that the director didn't quite dare feature a makeout scene. Although the development of the romance was subtle, as the story flows, it became quite obvious that Bhisma and Rinjani were in love. Their successful music therapy for Dewa would have been a perfect occasion for a steamy scene. Provided that Rinjani starts violently resisting before it turns into a sexual activity, this would have played with the audience's emotions more intensely but without undermining the point that Rinjani is afraid of physical intimacy due to a past trauma. It doesn't have to be, and it shouldn't be indecent, but I think it would have been right to display some intimate gesture like a kiss just to make the point that the sparks were there and create a bit of sensation for the audience. The fact that Rinjani's resistance occurred as Bhisma barely had the chance to touch her was rather disappointing.
Other elements such as the rural setting and metaphors drawn from the oriental epic of Mahabharata added a richness to the Indonesian ingredients to this movie. Makes a great juxtaposition to the elements of classical western culture, such as open air string quartet concerts and ballet.
Over all, good movie. Recommended for aficionados of the Indonesian culture with an appetite for philosophy, eastern history, and worthy causes. I'd watch it again.
Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (2002)
Breakthrough (by the way, this also contains a spoiler for The Prince And Me)
I must admit that AADC is a movie in my guilty enjoyment list. The only reason why I watched it was because I liked its soundtracks that was on heavy airplay on MTV and couldn't help but catch glimpses of the curiosity-arousing scenes. And I must say, I was not disappointed.
I appreciate the elements in this movie that make it so different from the typical soap-ish Indonesian movie... the fact Cinta and Rangga's interests were rare classical Indonesian literature, the contrasting backgrounds of Cinta and Rangga, the school fights, the bomb threats, the goofy humour juxtaposed with scenes that are cold and serious, and a dose of romance that was just right.
However, I am mostly grateful for the attitudes Rangga & Cinta decided to have in the end--sticking to their priorities and embracing them by placing their faith in the unknown rather than succumbing to the fairytale-ish pressure to give up their dreams "in the name of love". When Rangga said "I must go," I literally applauded. I just love open-ended, realistic stories that encourage its watchers that it's okay to let go of love and be broken hearted for awhile--in the end you will not regret sticking to your priorities rather. It's about time we stop making movies that promote sacrificing one's future in order to be with one's object of infatuation whose true love is not yet tested--such as the case with The Prince and Me (starring Julia Stiles and Luke Mably). I was fuming mad when Prince Edvard showed up at Paige's graduation and wooed her to go back to Denmark with him--what about her future with Doctors Without Borders??? I am proud that a screenwriter from my country (reputable for the most horrible soap operas in case you don't know) knows better than that.
The on-screen kiss was good... chapeau to the director who dared to incorporate it and create the controversy as the first silver-screen Indonesian movie featuring the kiss!
I'm quite curious how this movie would feel like in Japanese. By the way, why is it called "Beautiful Days" there, and how would the Japanese audience understand the context of classical Indonesian literature, for instance? (even in Indonesia one rarely finds a teenager who's familiar with the stuff Rangga reads... but at least they'd have previous exposure to some national literature)
Anyway, back to Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, everything was very well coordinated--great storyline, excellent choice of actors, fabulous musical soundtrack, and chapeau to Rudi Soedjarwo for daring to go against the conventional!