Two Blue Stripes (2019) User Reviews

A genuine sex ed flick that Indonesia needs

[daryopeek · 9/10 · 24 July 2019]

Sex education has been a confusing issue in Indonesia. The country suffers from child/adolescent marriages, illegal abortion, and premarital pregnancy yet sex ed class is stigmatized due to the belief that it may suggest (safe) sex before marriage.

Dua Garis Biru offers a feature with simple premise to guide us into sex ed with more neutral approach, unlike the last 2000s-early 2010s trends of the local adult movies which always involving suggestive materials to usher some lame moral lessons about sex. The premise is honestly just what you'd expect of the unwanted pregnancy, but this movie dig more into the social class, relationship, family problems, and discussions about future.

This movie is giving a treat: for being so close as possible to our daily life. It does not dramatize the anger, provoke tears, or social gap. Most of the dialogue also went so smooth and natural, so that we are can relate to the situation. Honestly, the dialogues are not quite memorable in my opinion, but the situation being so relatable make the scenes always give nice impression.

The main treat is also accompanied by supporting casts acting whose mostly play a big role to assist the main casts. Zara and Angga as two teenagers, honestly feel don't quite charismatic nor having chemistry greater than their promotion videos on YouTube. However, their clumsiness giving a genuine presentation about the real condition, thus able to increase the "relatable level".

Its visual game also interesting. Many have been pointed the strawberry scene(s) is a genius visual analogy to an abortion, without even talking about it! This movie has many easter eggs like that one that are worth discussing.

Although this is a directorial debut, Gina S Noer has prove that her experience in writing screenplay and being a producer, can give a new life to a directing style that is different than the rest. Her screenplay however, focusing much on the sequences so that the climax can't justify all great things happened in other scenes. It's a pity because it makes the movie seems like missing a resolution. But, it's probably a nice companion to the other scenes, with so much things happened, the ending feels more real, rather than being so dramatic about it.

Hopefully, this movie can give new inspiration for other filmakers to explore this new style of directing/screenwriting that Indonesia needs.

Dua Garis Biru crosses the line to reaching its good title.

[iamianiman · 7/10 · 4 October 2019]

A movie that proposes a central theme about sex education, how important it is and the consequences if one not learn in an early age. It relates with the 21st century millennials who think that personal boundaries is not an issue.

What I love is that the film brings you of the similar concept that has been recycled, but the execution is different. It shows you a set of different plot-points to let the audience go down a different road from what you have seen before.

The performances by the actors are executed brilliantly. You can see the differences between the struggles of two families regarding the same subject.

The cinematography is on an international level! It blends in arthouse and commercial styles of camera movements that are both creative and innovative. What's even better is that there is one crucial scene that longs its one-shot for 5 minutes!

A film that throws in effective jokes that makes the whole audience giggles. These one-liner do not overshadow the serious tone of the film that needs to be addressed to the public which is a good thing. P.S: Be prepared to hurt your stomach during the fruit scene in the hospital. 😂

From beginning 'till the end, all songs that are featured suit the tone of the film. The lyrics are melancholic and they are all great enough, making you want to Google the soundtrack back at home.

Fast introduction scene. The movie should have invested some time on character developments so that audience may be able to express true emotional on the unethical action that leads to ebing the theme of Dua Garis Biru.

The concept however, feels derivative. It has been done quite many times in advertisements, 7 o'clock dramas, and movies from different countries.

Being a huge fan of his, Angga Yunanda's dark skin tone irritates me as it is unsuitable with his look. He looks unnatural and the makeup team should have not asked him to undergo the tanning process under the scorching sun.

Verdict: Better than both Ada Apa Dengan Cinta and Dilan, Dua Garis Biru is a film that touches many hearts. If there is one Indonesian film to send to the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, Dua Garis Biru is at the top of the line.

Dare to be Different!!

[RendyBrontosaurus · 8/10 · 11 November 2020]

The film expressly tells the story of what has remained taboo in society. Although the beginning was widely opposed, the film successfully demonstrated the importance of sex education for adolescents. All aspects are well crafted, despite some of its drawbacks. Worth it to watch.

It's TWO BLUE STRIPES movie, not JUNO's rip-off!

[vi-nino · 10/10 · 22 July 2019]

Some people who haven't watch this movie, still think the director was inspired from 'Juno'. But it's totally different.

The points of this movie to educate for all teenagers or parents to stay away from something you will regret. > Lesson for teenagers: Don't ever had sex when you're still young. Chase your dreams and think about your parents when you do something. > Lesson for parents: Don't get busy with your own life and think your kids can do anything when they grow up. You still the parents, don't ever be shame to talk about their puberty.

REASON WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS: 1. It's not a mellow or romance films. It's a hard life story when you did a mistake and do something stupid before you think. 2. Funny moments and little jokes will bring your mood up, you won't get bored while you watching it. 3. Emotional, you can feel so deep when you watch this. It's feels so real and natural. Your mood won't flat while watching it. 4. Educational. You don't have think, you just need to feel and learn a lessons. So many life lesson you can take from this movie. 5. Hidden meaning, and you have to paying attention to every scene that presents you the lesson without showing it obviously. 6. The ending isn't suprised. Just a conclusion. Everybody is coming back to continue their lives, and learned from their mistake.

10/10, I gave the perfect score because it's so rare we can find a drama movie with big lessons, especially for Indonesian movies nowadays. Thank you Gina (Director) for making this great films (Gina said she's writing this story since 2009, and got this story idea based her sister's friend who did a mistake like this films.)

Film Keren

[massagekirana · 10/10 · 9 August 2019]

Film kontroversial sebelum penayangan nya. Namun setelah tayang mendapat apresiasi karena memang sangat layak ditonton dan menjelaskan keadaan sebenarnya dari kejadian selama ini

IT'S NOT A SEX EDUCATION MOVIE!!!!!

[yuseric · 8/10 · 28 November 2019]

Great movie about responsibility and family relation during a crisis. Why all the Indonesian reviews keep saying this is a sex education movie? If its sex education movie, they usually know what they are doing and will not get pregnant as result.

Sex education in Indonesia still have long way to go, with all the warning of do not have sex when young and this movie is a proof. Its a lot of emotional black mailing and victim blaming regarding this topic in Indonesian society

A really good movie

[slytherinserpent · 8/10 · 22 November 2019]

The acting is very good, this movie really shows pure emotions from the characters. It's also about family, relationship between parents-children and also sibling to sibling during hard times. Bima and Dara's romance storyline is also very cute and heartwarming despite the things they went through. There are times when they fight, and it somehow shows that they are really just underage teens even though the situation forces them to be mature. But, I don't really like the ending tho. And also, I don't get why they had to tan Angga Yunanda's skin tone (because his natural skin tone is light). They should've picked a naturally dark skinned actor for the role of Bima, I'm sure there are many talented dark skinned boys out there who would be a suitable choice for this role. Or, just simply leave Angga's complexion the way it is instead of putting make up on him to make his skin look darker.

Enjoyable

[ini_ynti-22457 · 7/10 · 10 March 2020]

I think it's good but not so special. A bit irritated by Zara's voice, though. Not that I didn't like her. I really like her. She's so cute and pretty. Really adored her acting in Keluarga Cemara where she played Euis. However, I didn't see any difference in her character here. As Dara, she just looked like Euis. I wish I would see the difference of character in her other movies. Angga did great. Lulu Tobing... Nothing's really changed about her. She's still pretty with her signature bob hair. Great acting, too.

One more thing, the girl that played Dara's sister, really hurt my eyes because I think she just didn't belong in that family. Maybe she was meant to be looked like her father with her brown skin, but still, to me she has no resemblance at all with the rest of the family.

The movie that we need AND we deserve

[reinaldowilliam818 · 8/10 · 29 July 2019]

Where to begin, this movie is spectacular first and foremost. The directing, the writing, maybe a little lacking in the acting department but it's understandable since the main characters are newcomer in the department, but superb acting from the senior actors nonetheless.

So, right off the bat, I'll congratulate Gina S. Noer for her directorial debut, she did spectacularly through this movie. She's no newbie at this business and it shows. The shots were beautiful, some of the scene even though taken at Indonesia's slum area, those shots were a scene stealer, particularly the bridge scene. Also the infirmary scene with the long take, those are some killer shots I tell ya.

The writing and acting is pretty good as well, and I personally felt that this movie has more than 1 climax point which is good because they divided it evenly between climax. One of the best scene is when all of the actors were grouped in the school infirmary, Lulu Tobing, Cut Mini, Dwi Sasono played their part perfectly. Zara and Angga also great particularly in this part as a scared and confused teenager, sadly they are a bit lacking in few of their line deliveries.

The scores are also great, good choice of songs to fill the background with, particularly naif with their "Jikalau" really fits the film.

For such a long time Indonesia needs this kind of movie, educating us about the importance of sex ed, the communication between parents and their children and how we're supposed to face a certain condition when we're faced with one.

All in all, I gave it 8/10, it is a GOOD movie, just go watch it before it is pulled from the cinema :)

Good? Yes. A bit overrated? Absolutely!

[ioyreviewee · 6/10 · 10 June 2020]

Before you come at me with your pitchforks! Read this first.

I absolutely adore this move, i really do. I think the moral of the story and the overall bold concept is what makes it to what it is today. But... It's not particularly special. A bit overrated in my opinion.

If you ask me about the production quality or the directing: It's really good. It holds up and it's what makes this movie enjoyable but it has these 3 problems that's plauge me from the start.

This movie has 3 main problems that i'll bring up: 1. Tone. This movie has a hard time choosing its tone. In the middle of the movie, i have no idea if it's either a serious movie or a drama comedy movie. I know the jokes are supposed to lift up the sorrowness of the movie but it's used so many times that it just feels like some scenes that should've been serious could've been done better. It feels like the story is 50/50 either serious or unserious which makes the payoff/climax feels off.

To tell you my point, let me give you a reference from Juno. Before you scream at me that i can't compare this to Juno because Juno is a movie made from the west and it's unfair. That's the point, we need to have a progress in Indonesia's film industry.

From the start, the movie tone is set to be unserious/comedic. It's consistent throughout the whole film but when the tone changes in some of the dramatic scenes, it feels so much more impactful because of how sparingly the movie uses dark moments in the movie.

2. Conflict: This movie feels like watching an old man aging. It feels like there's no conflict because the ending is inevitable (Dara will have her baby in the end, we know that). It's not interesting to tell you the truth.

The only conflict that has potential but falls flat on its face is the conflict with Dara's Aunt also wanting to have the baby. If only from the start of the 2nd act they established the conflict. The audience will be more hooked than ever.

If that conflict is applied, the questions that pops up in the viewers head is not just,"What happens next?" but also "Will Dara and Bima keep thier baby or will their Aunt have it". I believe that'll make a much more interesting conflict than just watching them waiting for Dara to have their labour.

3.Portrayal of the message: I've written 8 spec screenplays and if there's one thing i have a hard time with and what people seems to complain about is: My character isn't suffering enough.

If you let the characters finish conflict easy, the movie won't be so impactful. I believe that this movie feels like i gave the wrong impression/didn't pull it's punches enough for how real teen pregnancy is portrayed. I mean, here's the message that i get out of it if i was just a untrained viewer:

"Teenage pregnancy gives you all sorts of problem that could've been prevented early if they hadn't done it but it's ok as long as your family can support you in the future"

It doesn't really tell you that much. I mean, if both family were poor, that'll make the conflict much more intense.

If i were to write the screenplay, i would make absolutely give Dara and Bima hell in the 1st and second act. I'd make the sequences like this in fact:

1. After their parents finds out that she's pregnant, the school expells them both 2. In the middle of the movie, because Bima isn't doing any job and the Bima's family cannot afford to pay for both of them, they have to move out on their own. All this is happening while they're having a back and forth with Dara's Aunt wanting the baby 3. In the 3rd act of the movie, Dara and Bima's given a choice by Dara's parents that if they hand over the baby to the Aunt. Each of them can go back to their lives, Dara can go to Korea and Bima can go back to his absolutely dull live (Yes, i have a problem with Bima being a super passive character).

That'll make the stakes feel more compelling. I don't know about you, but i'd prefer to watch it like this.

I think that's all i have in my mind right now. Don't get me wrong, i love this movie, i really do but we need to be honest with ourselves and give it constructive criticism or we'll just be viewers who'll see rare good 'movies' in the future instead of 'groundbreaking' movies coming from Indonesia's Film Industry

Educational Movie

[ansar88 · 8/10 · 1 July 2022]

A very worthy film to watch because it contains a lot of education that can be taken, such as the impact of excessive "dating style", in this film it is also taught that communication between children and parents is very important.