This story tell the difference between culture and religions knowledge, does the culture always be a priority? This story is to tell how Adat Minangkabau is conducted within the ethnic. Minang is the fraction of the Malay ethnic besides Jawa and else. Zainuddin sentences for Hayati is Masterpiece. It should be full rated because of the sentences only.
16 Reviews
I'm a Malaysian and I love this movie
are_mean122 April 2019
I never read the novel before watching this,but my god i'm truly in awe of Hamka for writing this masterpiece even though it was adapted from a novel still it was so beautiful.Even from the start I was already hooked up to the artful dialogue,the different accent and culture between Minangkabau & Bugis.Herjunot Ali as Zainuddin truly a standout performer in this movie with supporting casts that were also great.Finally,what compliment great movie if not great music and soundtrack?The ship scene and the aftermath looks too simplistic but otherwise can be forgiven.Overall - this will stay in my Netflix list for a long time.
Well worth to see
papalaba215 January 2014
Remove the ship scene, and I would give this movie 9 points. The graphics look rough and unnatural. In the 14-21 inch TV screen may be accepted, on a cinema screen would look embarrassing.
It was like back in the Sumatran island culture in the '30s. I feel very fresh once heard a dialect of Malay literature, lilting and attention to its structure.
Acting is also not disappoint. Honestly though I do not idolize any of them. But I tried to ignore the supporting cast: some look unnatural and too young for their costumes.
However this film is well worth to see because it shows one of the original culture of Indonesia.
I rarely like Indonesian movies and rarely watch it, even if it is free. But this is one of the local films that I have no regrets for spending the money for the ticket.
It was like back in the Sumatran island culture in the '30s. I feel very fresh once heard a dialect of Malay literature, lilting and attention to its structure.
Acting is also not disappoint. Honestly though I do not idolize any of them. But I tried to ignore the supporting cast: some look unnatural and too young for their costumes.
However this film is well worth to see because it shows one of the original culture of Indonesia.
I rarely like Indonesian movies and rarely watch it, even if it is free. But this is one of the local films that I have no regrets for spending the money for the ticket.
The very best and pride of Indonesian cinema. An instant classic.
mjmymoviecritic20 June 2014
When Zainuddin tells Hayati that he will always love her, just before he is forced to leave her home village and moves to another town, he knows that his love for her is pure and true, and comes from his deepest heart. And when Hayati makes a promise that she will forever wait for him and he will become her husband one day, if not here on earth then in the afterlife, that promise has sealed Zainuddin's heart forever. A promise from a young man and woman deeply in love. A love promise that not only gives Zainuddin hopes to walk into his uncertain pathway ahead, but also defines the happiness of his entire life. A love oath so sacred for him that makes him unable to love another woman. The same promise that makes him suffers for the rest of his life.
This is the story about a timeless love and love unrealized. A tragic love story adapted from the mega bestseller novel "Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck" ("Sinking of the van der Wijck"), first published in 1938, written by Buya Hamka, a great and well known Indonesian writer.
This is a wonderful and a very well made high budgeted Indonesian movie with such a heart grabbing story. The movie is a real tearjerker, with so many heartbreaking moments. The thing is, even though it has the potentials to become a melodramatic movie, but the film itself doesn't fall into those melodramatic traps. An excellent direction from Sunil Soraya,also acted as the producer, who made a movie so beautiful, poetic and touching, and at the same time feels so extravagant and epic, with the story stays true to the novel and well capturing the main spirit told by the writer in criticizing the certain customs and traditions in the Minangkabau society at that time, such as ethnic and social status discrimination, and forced marriage. Soraya's 5 long years of research and development of this film, including choosing the right casting, really paid off, resulting in an unforgettable motion picture with such great details. Praise also needs to be given to the great screenplay written by Donny Dhirgantoro and Imam Tantowi, filled with so many wonderful and thoughtful dialogues.
The acting and characterization is a standout. Herjunot Ali gave a brilliant and the best performance of his career as Zainuddin, delved deep into the soul of his character, with his amazing Makassar accent, as well as his sympathetically posture and expressions that will make the audiences feel and fall for him. He cleverly used his accent with the right timing, sometimes made it sounded a bit funny on purpose, but precisely reflecting his naturally plain good heart and honesty. When he is astonished by Hayati's beauty when he sees her for the very first time, passing through him in a horse-drawn carriage, he makes us feel amazed with him. At the other end, when Zainuddin bursts out all of his emotions and angriness to Hayati near the end of the movie, after years of holding bitterness inside of him, Herjunot strikes and hits us right at heart with the way he says all that, showing us that even though Zainuddin is a good man, but he is also just a human being with heart and pains and emotions. That is the climax and the golden moment of this movie.
Pevita Pearce appeared lovely and elegant, shines with her stunning beauty throughout the movie. And I think she gave a pretty good performance as the vulnerable Hayati, a submissive woman who has to put her hopes and dreams under the oppressive culture and traditions of her society, indecisive to choose who's best for her life.
While as the three times 'Piala Citra' winner in the Indonesian Film Festival (the Indonesian 'Academy Award'), the talented Reza Rahadian appeared solid and fun to watch as the classy and modern rich guy, but a mean and unfaithful husband Aziz, exploring into his antagonist side.
Despite the fictitious story and characters, the background of this movie is actually based on the real historical event, the sinking of the Van der Wijck ship, a luxury Dutch liner that sank in the northern coast of Java island in 28th October 1936. The sinking of the ship itself is actually not the main story of this movie, not taking a long scene time, but it plays as a very important background to the story. The special effects of the sinking ship are not as good and on par as those of the Hollywood's, but that didn't matter, because the essence of this movie is just not that.
The technical aspects of this movie are top notch and first-class. From the beautiful sceneries and cinematography, the excellent period set pieces that catch the mood and atmospheres of the Minangkabau's village and town, and the cities of Batavia and Surabaya in the 1930's, the authentic and eye-catching set properties such as the big mansions, the old cars, the antiques and the horse racing stadium, up to the well made designed costumes, including the classy suits and dresses, complete with the stylish hats and fancy sunglasses. The party scene is extravagant and glamorous, with music and singing and dancing. The musical score and songs are great and haunting, capturing well every change of the moods in the movie. Nidji composed beautiful songs for the soundtracks, with the most memorable song "SUMPAH DAN CINTA MATIKU" ("My Death Oath and Love").
This movie has a complete package as a superb entertainment with a wonderful story, charming actors with great performances, and other astounding technical aspects that makes us not only see and hear the movie, but also feel the movie. This is a great Indonesian period romantic drama, a truly instant classic that may not come once in every decade. So powerful, epic and breathtaking, and you will know it by your heart. The very best and pride of Indonesian cinema. (MJ)
This is the story about a timeless love and love unrealized. A tragic love story adapted from the mega bestseller novel "Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck" ("Sinking of the van der Wijck"), first published in 1938, written by Buya Hamka, a great and well known Indonesian writer.
This is a wonderful and a very well made high budgeted Indonesian movie with such a heart grabbing story. The movie is a real tearjerker, with so many heartbreaking moments. The thing is, even though it has the potentials to become a melodramatic movie, but the film itself doesn't fall into those melodramatic traps. An excellent direction from Sunil Soraya,also acted as the producer, who made a movie so beautiful, poetic and touching, and at the same time feels so extravagant and epic, with the story stays true to the novel and well capturing the main spirit told by the writer in criticizing the certain customs and traditions in the Minangkabau society at that time, such as ethnic and social status discrimination, and forced marriage. Soraya's 5 long years of research and development of this film, including choosing the right casting, really paid off, resulting in an unforgettable motion picture with such great details. Praise also needs to be given to the great screenplay written by Donny Dhirgantoro and Imam Tantowi, filled with so many wonderful and thoughtful dialogues.
The acting and characterization is a standout. Herjunot Ali gave a brilliant and the best performance of his career as Zainuddin, delved deep into the soul of his character, with his amazing Makassar accent, as well as his sympathetically posture and expressions that will make the audiences feel and fall for him. He cleverly used his accent with the right timing, sometimes made it sounded a bit funny on purpose, but precisely reflecting his naturally plain good heart and honesty. When he is astonished by Hayati's beauty when he sees her for the very first time, passing through him in a horse-drawn carriage, he makes us feel amazed with him. At the other end, when Zainuddin bursts out all of his emotions and angriness to Hayati near the end of the movie, after years of holding bitterness inside of him, Herjunot strikes and hits us right at heart with the way he says all that, showing us that even though Zainuddin is a good man, but he is also just a human being with heart and pains and emotions. That is the climax and the golden moment of this movie.
Pevita Pearce appeared lovely and elegant, shines with her stunning beauty throughout the movie. And I think she gave a pretty good performance as the vulnerable Hayati, a submissive woman who has to put her hopes and dreams under the oppressive culture and traditions of her society, indecisive to choose who's best for her life.
While as the three times 'Piala Citra' winner in the Indonesian Film Festival (the Indonesian 'Academy Award'), the talented Reza Rahadian appeared solid and fun to watch as the classy and modern rich guy, but a mean and unfaithful husband Aziz, exploring into his antagonist side.
Despite the fictitious story and characters, the background of this movie is actually based on the real historical event, the sinking of the Van der Wijck ship, a luxury Dutch liner that sank in the northern coast of Java island in 28th October 1936. The sinking of the ship itself is actually not the main story of this movie, not taking a long scene time, but it plays as a very important background to the story. The special effects of the sinking ship are not as good and on par as those of the Hollywood's, but that didn't matter, because the essence of this movie is just not that.
The technical aspects of this movie are top notch and first-class. From the beautiful sceneries and cinematography, the excellent period set pieces that catch the mood and atmospheres of the Minangkabau's village and town, and the cities of Batavia and Surabaya in the 1930's, the authentic and eye-catching set properties such as the big mansions, the old cars, the antiques and the horse racing stadium, up to the well made designed costumes, including the classy suits and dresses, complete with the stylish hats and fancy sunglasses. The party scene is extravagant and glamorous, with music and singing and dancing. The musical score and songs are great and haunting, capturing well every change of the moods in the movie. Nidji composed beautiful songs for the soundtracks, with the most memorable song "SUMPAH DAN CINTA MATIKU" ("My Death Oath and Love").
This movie has a complete package as a superb entertainment with a wonderful story, charming actors with great performances, and other astounding technical aspects that makes us not only see and hear the movie, but also feel the movie. This is a great Indonesian period romantic drama, a truly instant classic that may not come once in every decade. So powerful, epic and breathtaking, and you will know it by your heart. The very best and pride of Indonesian cinema. (MJ)
Love Story, the Great
bhasiba8 March 2020
Masterpiece of Indonesia Movie Industry
mikhail-hendro6 February 2015
One thing I must say The best of Indonesia Movie ever made
Thanks to the great storyline from Ustad Hamka plus the spectacular emotional over- flows Actor and Actresses, the movie is such a great masterpiece that's gonna be talked about for years to come..
Took 5 years of preparation and 2 years of script writing comes with an almost 3 hours extended version that Worth each and every second of its motion and gestures.
Speaking from a Christian Chinese Indonesian perspective who fancies western movies and exposed to Western cultures, this movie is much better than Nicholas Sparks' love birds.
The morale of the story teaches viewers many elements of life especially Tolerance, love, Sacrifice, Perseverance, and Being Religious.
The only let down was the sinking of ship scene. Could have been a 10 out of 10
A must see movie indeed enjoy!!
Thanks to the great storyline from Ustad Hamka plus the spectacular emotional over- flows Actor and Actresses, the movie is such a great masterpiece that's gonna be talked about for years to come..
Took 5 years of preparation and 2 years of script writing comes with an almost 3 hours extended version that Worth each and every second of its motion and gestures.
Speaking from a Christian Chinese Indonesian perspective who fancies western movies and exposed to Western cultures, this movie is much better than Nicholas Sparks' love birds.
The morale of the story teaches viewers many elements of life especially Tolerance, love, Sacrifice, Perseverance, and Being Religious.
The only let down was the sinking of ship scene. Could have been a 10 out of 10
A must see movie indeed enjoy!!
Best Indonesia movie 2014
syahrol_mubarraq23 November 2016
For some reason every time I watch this movie feels very deeply and sadness matchless involuntarily tears me out with itself ... does not doubt the quality SORAYA start place, view, view camera is very fitting in the eyes ... and also with a selection of players who are very pass, especially acting Herjunot Ali Zainuddin as it is fit in a movie like this,, best movie for 2014 for me, although I have watched it in 2016
For some reason every time I watch this movie feels very deeply and sadness matchless involuntarily tears me out with itself ... does not doubt the quality SORAYA start place, view, view camera is very fitting in the eyes ... and also with a selection of players who are very pass, especially acting Herjunot Ali Zainuddin as it is fit in a movie like this,, best movie for 2014 for me, although I have watched it in 2016
For some reason every time I watch this movie feels very deeply and sadness matchless involuntarily tears me out with itself ... does not doubt the quality SORAYA start place, view, view camera is very fitting in the eyes ... and also with a selection of players who are very pass, especially acting Herjunot Ali Zainuddin as it is fit in a movie like this,, best movie for 2014 for me, although I have watched it in 2016
Decent enough, could be more compact and emotionally charged.
ahdini14045118 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I got the overall experience of the film, firstly for the good note of which setting was well-researched and outsourced with admirable dialects performed. It sent me back to colonial days dated long years ago. It has beautiful poetic visual that adapts to the mood of different phases of their relationship.
But I could not help that it could have had a more natural flow.
Drama could be emphasized on just some points as having too many flattens and make it predictable. The conversation is slow with some redundant line, nailed by the ending scene where she just went on saying Zainuddin, kekasihku for three times. I was joking it would repeat twice but it underestimated even my joke and went for the third one. I agree as mentioned in other reviews that the emphasis when it sank could culminate our loss of Hayati more. For it just seemed matter of factly shown that it sank and she died. I didn't really feel sorry for her neither Zai.
Drama could be emphasized on just some points as having too many flattens and make it predictable. The conversation is slow with some redundant line, nailed by the ending scene where she just went on saying Zainuddin, kekasihku for three times. I was joking it would repeat twice but it underestimated even my joke and went for the third one. I agree as mentioned in other reviews that the emphasis when it sank could culminate our loss of Hayati more. For it just seemed matter of factly shown that it sank and she died. I didn't really feel sorry for her neither Zai.
the diction
azreeygstrike2 August 2021
hayati... Oh, hayati...
HafizhMaulana212 March 2023
Adapted from the novel of the same name, it tells the story of the love between Hayati, Zainuddin and Aziz who have different social settings. Their love for each other led to the tragedy of the sinking of Van Der Wijck's sailing ship.
When I first saw it, I felt that this movie has the same story as the Titanic movie. However, this film has a different story even though it features a scene of a ship sinking. The sinking of Van Den Wijck's ship has its own flavor in the storyline. Centered on the old era of Indonesia with a typical Malay feel, this film is very slick and beautiful. Featuring a story that is thick with customs and culture. Combined with dialogue that uses accents and Malay language. Supported by outstanding performances from Pevita Pearce, Herjunot Ali and Reza Rahardian. This film deserves to be the best drama film in Indonesia. The acting performance is very profound and full of emotions. Also with a very good story conflict which is able to give a good impression in seeing their love story. The film is able to invite the audience to feel and be part of this film. If you look at the title of this film, indeed the end of the tragedy of the ship's fall becomes an ending that fits with. But for me, the tragedy of the ship's fall seemed to be an ending that didn't feel right to perform. As if it became a moving and sad ending. But for me, it's not an ending to their love story problem.
When I first saw it, I felt that this movie has the same story as the Titanic movie. However, this film has a different story even though it features a scene of a ship sinking. The sinking of Van Den Wijck's ship has its own flavor in the storyline. Centered on the old era of Indonesia with a typical Malay feel, this film is very slick and beautiful. Featuring a story that is thick with customs and culture. Combined with dialogue that uses accents and Malay language. Supported by outstanding performances from Pevita Pearce, Herjunot Ali and Reza Rahardian. This film deserves to be the best drama film in Indonesia. The acting performance is very profound and full of emotions. Also with a very good story conflict which is able to give a good impression in seeing their love story. The film is able to invite the audience to feel and be part of this film. If you look at the title of this film, indeed the end of the tragedy of the ship's fall becomes an ending that fits with. But for me, the tragedy of the ship's fall seemed to be an ending that didn't feel right to perform. As if it became a moving and sad ending. But for me, it's not an ending to their love story problem.
One of the saddest Indonesian movie i've ever seen
abangzikri12 August 2022
Honestly, I'm crying watching this movie. This movie is so sad. As a Minangnese, i'm so related with this story. Unfortunately, there are some clumsy things especially in CGI.
The ship arrival scene is too unrealistic and looks so bad. And this film doesn't tell the background of Zainuddin's father like in actual novel.
The ship arrival scene is too unrealistic and looks so bad. And this film doesn't tell the background of Zainuddin's father like in actual novel.
This film is very good
isnainiaisyah14 January 2023
In my opinion, the visuals presented in this film are very good, but for the scene when the ship sinks, in my opinion, it is very unrealistic. The color gradations in this film also really illustrate that this story happened in the past.
The dialogues of the characters also use Minang language so that viewers who do not understand Minang language have to listen to the translation, making the audience's focus a little divided. However, the writer still recommends this film to be watched by connoisseurs of Indonesian romance films because this film is not only about love, but also about someone's life struggles, namely Zainuddin.
The dialogues of the characters also use Minang language so that viewers who do not understand Minang language have to listen to the translation, making the audience's focus a little divided. However, the writer still recommends this film to be watched by connoisseurs of Indonesian romance films because this film is not only about love, but also about someone's life struggles, namely Zainuddin.
BEWARE of the hype, BEWARE of high rating
jinojiwantenggara6 January 2014
First, I didn't read the book. I believe that a movie should be treated differently from the book.
So, I finally watched this movie based on good review out there and the ads that said there are more than 1 million audiences in just few weeks or sort of . And I was disappointed.
The acting was so wooden. The protagonist voice was so annoying. The woman protagonist's character was confusing. I know they're in love just because the script say so. Even Reza Rahadian can't do his best. The dialogue was really cheesy.
I don't know what was wrong. the director or the script? The fact is that there were 4 writers in this mess.
Also, this movie needs a lot more props more than just bunch of old cars to convince me that this happened in early 1930's. The sets, they look so modern. And by 'modern,' I mean they look like many things that you can find today. Not to mention the misplaced soundtracks by pop band Nidji. Their modern songs with modern instruments just don't fit in this movie.
Later I just find out that 41% of people here gave this nonsensical-so- called-movie 10. To me? 3 is far too generous.
So, I finally watched this movie based on good review out there and the ads that said there are more than 1 million audiences in just few weeks or sort of . And I was disappointed.
The acting was so wooden. The protagonist voice was so annoying. The woman protagonist's character was confusing. I know they're in love just because the script say so. Even Reza Rahadian can't do his best. The dialogue was really cheesy.
I don't know what was wrong. the director or the script? The fact is that there were 4 writers in this mess.
Also, this movie needs a lot more props more than just bunch of old cars to convince me that this happened in early 1930's. The sets, they look so modern. And by 'modern,' I mean they look like many things that you can find today. Not to mention the misplaced soundtracks by pop band Nidji. Their modern songs with modern instruments just don't fit in this movie.
Later I just find out that 41% of people here gave this nonsensical-so- called-movie 10. To me? 3 is far too generous.
Best indonesian romance movie ever
haritsdzaky10 May 2022
Because it's a Tragedy
hootohtudia13 December 2014
I feel the film Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck should be injected more budget on it. Certainly it worth if they're given much more attention on Hamka product. Indonesian romantic drama film directed by Sunil Soraya and written by Imam Tantowi and Dhony Dirgantoro. Starring Pevita Pearce, Herjunot Ali, and Reza Rahadian, the film based on Hamka's novel. This film also need higher priority on the sinking scenes, It definitely will gives a stronger effect. Because it's a tragedy they should also give heavy reason of Kapal Van Der Wijck sank more clearly. Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck (English: Sinking of the van der Wijck)
A soap-opera-styled movie (film sinetron), falling short of proving itself worthy of Hamka's masterpiece
priandi15 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched the movie, expecting to see a decent adaptation of the famous novel. To be fair, I'd begin with the high points of the movie. Good performance by extras, specifically those playing the parts of Hayati's family. All scenes involving Hayati's mamak (uncle) brought me back to my parents' village near Bukittinggi, West Sumatera. I suspect those extras are mostly indeed Minang people, As the matter of fact, they are the closest thing to portrayal authenticity of all the characters in the movie. Kudos for them, which are ironically not included in cast list in IMDB. At the very least, Hayati's mamak deserves to be credited.
The second nice thing I can say about this movie is its pictorial of Minang landscape. Although, the credit here is not entirely on the director as the landscape is already beautiful. In some shots, I even feel as if they look slightly unreal especially with the soft look and deep colour saturation. While I think this is more due to the director's preferred approach and style, I cannot help thinking as if I was watching an old music video by Rizal Mantovani (which also happens to be involved in this movie). Those who spent their teenage years in the 90s watching Rizal Mantovani's music videos would know what I mean. (clue: lots of high saturated colour)
Acting wise, I appreciate the effort of Herjunot, Pevita, and Reza, the three main characters in the movie. I like Herjunot's portrayal of a young man growing up in Makassar, and his accent is very convincing. However, I find it difficult to say the same for Reza and Pevita. I can forgive Reza's character as having too much Dutch influence, so much that his Minang accent is nowhere to be heard. Pevita's character is a woman who grew up in a village within a Minang community with strong cultural influence, and yet her accent is very thin at the beginning of the movie and rapidly fading away as the movie progresses. Again, I see good acting performance from those outside the main characters, as Jajang C. Noer and particularly Arzetti Bilbina played their characters very well. Even Arzetti's character is a typical middle-aged Minang woman, down to her appearance and accent. Too bad, both of them did not get a lot of screen time, and almost have very minor significance in the storytelling of the movie.
The last positive thing I can say about the movie is the material itself. When a line or a scene is faithfully taken from Buya Hamka's book, the scene makes sense and very moving to watch. For example, the scene where Hayati come to visit Zainuddin who is sick in bed, where Muluk talk to Zainuddin to build up his spirit, or Hayati's final letter.
As with other movies that are adaptation of a book, it is always a challenge to adapt the material faithfully and even successfully. The visualization of adaptation material in this movie is, unfortunately, cheesy and unrealistic. There are many scenes in which I feel like the director ignores logic, or at least did not provide a convincing scene as background or explanation. The most obvious example is the pictorial of Zainuddin's house as a very big mansion with many candle lights, a big dinner table, complete with butler and housekeepers. The portrayal of Zainuddin, as a pribumi (indigenous people) living in 1930s Surabaya under Dutch occupation, is the most disturbing aspect of the movie. Zainuddin's dress is also almost too flamboyant for a humble-writer-turn-successful-businessman. It makes me feel like watching a movie version of a soap opera with a setting of Indonesia in the 1970s. And no thanks to controversial choice of music arrangement. I like Nidji, but does it have to come in every now and then? Their sound definitely does not belong to the 1930s setting.
Now, I am aware that different people can see things differently, and I respect their right to express their reviews here. However, seeing a couple reviews of this film here using hyperbolic expressions makes me wonder if they are writing about a completely different movie. The Sinking of Van Der Wijck has a few good points, and it is not a total disaster. But to think of it as deserving a 10/10 rating, to be referred as "the very best Indonesian cinema", "an instant classic", with "standout characterization", "first-class technical aspects", and "excellent period set pieces", or even "a complete package" of "superb entertainment" is just plain deceiving and on the verge of degrading critically acclaimed movies like "Naga Bonar" or "Laskar Pelangi". "The Sinking of Van Der Wijck" may be the Indonesian movie that sold the most tickets and commercially successful, but definitely does not deserve to be called the best of Indonesian movies.
The second nice thing I can say about this movie is its pictorial of Minang landscape. Although, the credit here is not entirely on the director as the landscape is already beautiful. In some shots, I even feel as if they look slightly unreal especially with the soft look and deep colour saturation. While I think this is more due to the director's preferred approach and style, I cannot help thinking as if I was watching an old music video by Rizal Mantovani (which also happens to be involved in this movie). Those who spent their teenage years in the 90s watching Rizal Mantovani's music videos would know what I mean. (clue: lots of high saturated colour)
Acting wise, I appreciate the effort of Herjunot, Pevita, and Reza, the three main characters in the movie. I like Herjunot's portrayal of a young man growing up in Makassar, and his accent is very convincing. However, I find it difficult to say the same for Reza and Pevita. I can forgive Reza's character as having too much Dutch influence, so much that his Minang accent is nowhere to be heard. Pevita's character is a woman who grew up in a village within a Minang community with strong cultural influence, and yet her accent is very thin at the beginning of the movie and rapidly fading away as the movie progresses. Again, I see good acting performance from those outside the main characters, as Jajang C. Noer and particularly Arzetti Bilbina played their characters very well. Even Arzetti's character is a typical middle-aged Minang woman, down to her appearance and accent. Too bad, both of them did not get a lot of screen time, and almost have very minor significance in the storytelling of the movie.
The last positive thing I can say about the movie is the material itself. When a line or a scene is faithfully taken from Buya Hamka's book, the scene makes sense and very moving to watch. For example, the scene where Hayati come to visit Zainuddin who is sick in bed, where Muluk talk to Zainuddin to build up his spirit, or Hayati's final letter.
As with other movies that are adaptation of a book, it is always a challenge to adapt the material faithfully and even successfully. The visualization of adaptation material in this movie is, unfortunately, cheesy and unrealistic. There are many scenes in which I feel like the director ignores logic, or at least did not provide a convincing scene as background or explanation. The most obvious example is the pictorial of Zainuddin's house as a very big mansion with many candle lights, a big dinner table, complete with butler and housekeepers. The portrayal of Zainuddin, as a pribumi (indigenous people) living in 1930s Surabaya under Dutch occupation, is the most disturbing aspect of the movie. Zainuddin's dress is also almost too flamboyant for a humble-writer-turn-successful-businessman. It makes me feel like watching a movie version of a soap opera with a setting of Indonesia in the 1970s. And no thanks to controversial choice of music arrangement. I like Nidji, but does it have to come in every now and then? Their sound definitely does not belong to the 1930s setting.
Now, I am aware that different people can see things differently, and I respect their right to express their reviews here. However, seeing a couple reviews of this film here using hyperbolic expressions makes me wonder if they are writing about a completely different movie. The Sinking of Van Der Wijck has a few good points, and it is not a total disaster. But to think of it as deserving a 10/10 rating, to be referred as "the very best Indonesian cinema", "an instant classic", with "standout characterization", "first-class technical aspects", and "excellent period set pieces", or even "a complete package" of "superb entertainment" is just plain deceiving and on the verge of degrading critically acclaimed movies like "Naga Bonar" or "Laskar Pelangi". "The Sinking of Van Der Wijck" may be the Indonesian movie that sold the most tickets and commercially successful, but definitely does not deserve to be called the best of Indonesian movies.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
