Abang

I watched this movie when I was still an adolescent and after watching it again some time ago, I'm very convinced that this is the best contemporary Malay movie ever made (excluding P.Ramlee's glorious 50's -60's era). The plot, though simple, was effective in the story telling of a family trying to come to terms with its past and present. There was no mushy dialogue or lovey dovey scenes and the love story in it (there has to be one!) was subtle and very briefly touched. Fauziah Ahmad Daud displayed spectacular acting as the oblivious only sister in the family of brothers who seemed to be the only one who was genuinely happy with her oldest brother's return. Umi Kalsom and Rommai Noor, 2 of the legends of Malay cinema, play the parents and patriach and matriach of the family who are all but too happy with their son's return but you see subtle signs of the father's hesitation with embracing his son's return to the family home and life. Everyone acted brilliantly and the audience gets a chance to see how Abang returns to his roots in their old village. The ending is surprising, poignant but not too sad. Watch and find out what it is - if you can find it! I'm still trying to find a copy of the movie!