Agak Laen

'Agak Laen' may be a bit all over the place in terms of tone, but it is quite a fun flick all in all. It's well made too, it oddly gave me vibes of 2018's 'The Festival', particularly lighting-wise, for some reason - I didn't think I'd be making a connection between those two!

Oki Rengga, Boris Bokir, Indra Jegel and Bene Dion make for good casting, they fit as a four and do come across as a friends group. Rengga and Bokir are the standouts, for me. Arie Kriting is the one I'd rank highest of the other cast members; all of whom are absolutely fine, at worst.

The plot is a strange choice, I gotta say, for a comedy, I'm not convinced by how they blend it together but it works; even if the more sincere moments didn't quite hit as intended, at least to me. Oki's part at the conclusion is the closest a non-comedy bit came to hitting.

Also, the product placement is kinda mad, proper egregious stuff. This is my first taste of Indonesian cinema, I assume this is the norm? I only guess that because I do know that their football broadcasts are/were ad-heavy; that's how I know what Torabika is, lol.

The story of this comedy film was done very well and succeeded in combining comedy, horror, sadness, love, conflict and satire. The transitions between story segments flow very neatly, for me the concept and story style of this film is reminiscent of the style of Coen Brothers films.

In several scenes, the audience can be sad and smile and even laugh at the same time. The director and writer, Mukladi Acho, was very successful in packaging and mixing all the scene transitions very well.

Another thing that I think is extraordinary is the cast, almost all of whom have stand-up comedian backgrounds. Their roles and acting are so good and very natural.

This film has succeeded in making a new breakthrough in the style of comedy films in Indonesia, the challenge now is to maintain the continuity of the subsequent films.

With that tittle it is indeed delivers just that .. stranger things in a funny way that is. From the befinning of the movie maybe one will think it is another ordinary slapstick comedy movie from Indonesian which is the norm all this years or decades if you will.

Then the pace of the movie starts to pick up . One thing leads to another. And that is when the movie is worth the watch all the way right up till the end.

Worth to mention as well that this is oen of the movie that you will want to keep backing up the bad guys . The story telling was done in way that wont bore you down .

And yes in time the story build all around the guys and thats the pillars of it all . Yes life is hard and nothing is easy but the way life was endure was really another level.

Muhadkly Acho's most impressive work to date is undoubtedly "Agak Laen." This film stands out as an unexpectedly powerful piece that adeptly blends multiple genres while maintaining a well-balanced mix of humor and heartfelt moments. It represents a rare breed of comedy that consistently delivers laughs throughout its runtime, thanks in large part to the remarkable chemistry among its four lead actors. Acho brings boundless energy to the project, crafting a comedy that resonates with genuine humor and enthusiasm. Although the film does include some noticeable product placements that might be off-putting to some, this minor flaw does not detract from its overall success. "Agak Laen" is a film that is both smart and silly, courageous and conceptual, satirical and irreverent, yet deeply rooted in its character development. It's another standout entry from Imajinari that truly deserves a greater level of attention and appreciation.

**Headline

**Rating: 7.5/10**

**Suggestion:** "Agak Laen" stands out for its quirky storytelling and relatable characters. The film captures the essence of everyday life with a comedic twist, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. The humor is often spot-on, allowing viewers to connect with the characters' struggles and triumphs.

However, some plot points feel underdeveloped, leaving certain character arcs lacking depth. The pacing occasionally dips, which might disengage some viewers. Still, the film's charm lies in its ability to portray the ordinary with a whimsical touch, making it a delightful watch overall. It successfully combines humor with heart, offering valuable life lessons without being overly preachy.