Tersanjung: The Movie

A neatly written and executed film elevated to heights by the right cast, Hanung Bramantyo and Pandhu Adjisurya's 'Tersanjung the Movie' transcends its ordinary, soap-opera set-up to deliver a beautiful, stirring romance. The movie wears its '90s aesthetic and sensibility on its sleeve proudly - from the cars to the fashion to the haircuts to the soapy relationships between its characters. Cheesy, but well delivered, intimate story.

Tersanjung is an Indonesian drama film adapted from the iconic soap opera of the same name. It brings a story of love, family conflict, and old scars intertwined by destiny. I rated it 7/10 because it successfully evokes nostalgia, although certain parts remain trapped in old-school drama formulas.

The story thrives on its relatable conflicts between characters, reflecting the familiar struggles within Indonesian culture. Clara Bernadeth delivers a solid performance as a woman caught between love and life's expectations. Giorgino Abraham and Kevin Ardilova also convincingly portray two very different men fighting for love while hiding secrets.

The cinematography is simple yet occasionally beautiful, supporting the story's emotional moments. The background score effectively amplifies sorrowful and bittersweet scenes, though it sometimes feels a bit overdone.

Its weaknesses lie in some stiff dialogues and a rushed second half, causing certain key emotions to lose their impact. Nevertheless, this film successfully reconnects audiences with the bittersweet charm of classic Indonesian love stories.