Kamulah satu-satunya (2007)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Hanung Bramantyo

Writers:

Hanung Bramantyo (writer)
Raditya Bramantyo (writer)

Release Date:

12 July 2007 (Indonesia)

Cast

Nirina Zubir	...	Indah
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dennis Adhiswara		(as Dennis Adishwara)
Fanny Fadillah
Junior Liem	...	Bowo (as Junior)
Didi Petet
Ringgo Agus Rahman
Tarzan

Country:

Indonesia

Company:

Oreima Production

"You're the only one" is actually good!!

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.