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!
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!