Radit Dan Jani : The Dumbing Down of Love

Radit, played by talented Vino G. Bastian, and Jani, played by gorgeous Fahrani, are young married couple, fueled with tremendous passion, and living a carefree life. Radit is an aspiring musician with drugs problem and Jani is a rebellious girl from a decent upscale family. I don’t know how the hell they are both ended up loving each other and get married. There is no slightest hint in the movie how Jani can stand Radit who is unemployed, drug addicted and sometimes trash-talk Jani. The movie just want us to believe that it’s because of love.

Crying and yelling and the sudden change of mood and oh, profanity is so cool..

It was almost felt unbearably repetitive, the story dragged until the last hour with the same conflict. Radit get a job, Radit fucks things up, Radit gets stoned, Jani pissed off, yelling galore started , ended with crying and sobbing and they hug and go fetal position. This is what depressing from this movie. Moods are changed too frequently, from one extreme to the other. I’m too depressed to be able to remember the scene i’m talking about. See for yourself and you will understand what i mean (or not, whatever).
This movie is overloaded with profanity. No, i’m not trying to take moral high ground, maybe it’s just me, because i don’t hear too much profanity spewed violently in my daily life. Maybe it’s just one way to keep this movie in touch with reality.

Enough about the story

I have to praise the director, Upi, for her bold decision to make movie with different taste. Dare to be different is what indonesian film community desperately needs. Although this movie is also found guilty with tiring Indonesian movie stereotypes (underachieving aspiring band person with drug problem, got chased by an angry mob, an upscale family with supportive mother but unamused father) this movie has some strong moments. I found the scene where Radit locked in the room and crave for drug the strongest, I almost felt the pain he was having, and felt sorry for him. I have a suspicion that Vino G. Bastian is a drug addict !. It was seemed so real.

Nungki Kusumastuti, Joshua Pandelaki and Mario Merdithia take supporting roles in this movie. Vino and Fahrani dominate screen time in this movie, but Nungki Kusumastuti as Jani’s mother perfoms beautifully and Joshua Pandelaki is very convincing as Jani’s unamused father. Mario Merdithia performance is an OK, i think.

Should you watch this movie?

Radit is not amused

Well, if you have nothing to do and your only choices are between watching this movie or go jump over the ledge to an endless pit of torments then yes you better watch this movie. It has some strong moments, and who knows, maybe you’ll find liking it. If you just want to be entertained, steer clear, it can be very depressing.

If there’s anything this movie trying to preach it is How Not To Be A Man. Don’t do drugs, don’t trash-talk your spouse, don’t get married if you are not capable of supporting a family and don’t believe a hot sexy lady who is showing off her legs flirtatiously.

5 Comments

didut 31 Jan 08 at 3:01pm

so now you're blgging use english hah?

good luck dude!!

dendi 31 Jan 08 at 3:55pm

Thank you, mas Adi. Yeah i'm desperately in need of good luck hehehe. Good luck to you too..

Fany 31 Jan 08 at 6:38pm

aduh den, males buka kamus.. *halah*

tapi yg jelas aku agak kurang sreg karena yg maen Vino Bastian, kurang keren dan macho.. *maap ya vino..*

dendi 5 Feb 08 at 10:11pm

@Fany:
hari gini masih buka kamus? kan ada google mbak

arief 14 Feb 08 at 0:34am

Indonesia Film "Investasi"? Is that the name of the production house? Are you kidding me??? :D