Joni's Promise

Janji Joni exceeds my expectations, really. When I first read the synopsis, I thought to myself: "Well, maybe a totally wacky comedy would do me good after all the stress of studying..." So, I slotted the disc into my laptop, and the journey began.

For the first few minutes, I did just what I'd wanted to do - I simply sat back and relaxed. And indeed, I enjoyed the light-heartedness of the film tremendously. The comedy is fresh without bordering on slapstick, and its cinematography is really beautiful. The crew successfully presents a nostalgic and charming portrayal of Jakarta. The film's greatest strength, though, is its motley group of characters: the carefree, somewhat naive Joni (acted well by Nicholas Saputra); the avuncular operator of the movie projector; the chatty taxi driver with his pregnant wife; and many, many others. Joni's encounters with these diverse characters are guaranteed to tickle you.

Apart from all the laughters, however, I also discovered a deeper layer of this film. Despite its unrealistically weird premise, Janji Joni actually presents a very potent metaphor of life itself. Life is like Joni's journey - full of unexpected twists and turns, and it doesn't always unfold as we want it to. And I'm glad that I have the opportunity to learn from how Joni reacts to all these situations. He made me re-evaluate my own life and inspired me with a new love of life. And I think that is quite something to take away from a "wacky comedy".

Do watch this film, but don't take it for face value. Go deeper and you may find yourself living your life a little more happily after watching this film. Trust me, we can all learn much from Joni.

thumbs up to this latest Indonesian movie.Janji Joni has deliver it promise and deserve my standing ovation.It has sealed Indonesian new cinema never stopped but going strong. this movie prove an indie movie with commercial appeal. Every actors play their characters well, and it did prove that Nicholas Saputra can act!, every dialog in this movie deliver the message from the directors perspective of Indonesian movie.Every scenes is a gem, and yeah, the soundtrack garnish it final touch to the movie.I truly enjoy this movie, u have to see it for yourself and be prepared to be amazed by how Indonesian movie has been saved. All i know now is that, Janji Joni does not shows that Indonesian movie has now at it peak but it just started with not only better but bigger, promises. good luck.

I think Joko Anwar did wrote a powerful story and gave each of the character "life".

Unfortunately, (imo), the problem with most Indonesian (young) actor is they talks with this, kinda like (special) accent and tone. When you listened to it, you would absolutely believe that they actually read from the script. The only sincere words that sounds pretty convincing out of Joni was the time when he was cursing. It really was sounded natural.

The much more experienced actor has done well. They really gave me the right impression of the profession that they did in the movie.

Hopefully the young actors can relax a bit and do much better next time. :p

When i decided to watch this movie after i saw the trailer on television,i thought that was best decision i ever made in whole my life.Cause,i decided to spent my money to watch the most hilarious,funny,smart,intelligent and cute movie ever made by Indonesia director.What a grateful,excellent and stunning film!I like it!And i fell in love with all of this movie content:director,plot and stars.Gosh!This is so much unbelievable,so much great.so much everything!The brilliant-talented Nicholas Saputra,The beautiful-charming Mariana Renatha,The cute-stunning Rachel Maryam,The snob-awesome Surya Saputra and all other great cast ever showed:Tantowi Yahya,Barry prima,Sujiwo tedjo,Ria Irawan,Tora Sudiro,etc.But,from all the best above this,The Director and The Producer are the greatest and most important persons in this movie:Nia Dinata and Joko Anwar.They successfully made the story become the funniest,the smartest,the cutest and the unforgettable of all.Gosh!(again)Watch it you'll be laugh until the day ended!Keep my promise...Grade:10 of 10.

What Joni could promise? An amusing entertainment or be a know-it-all adviser. As a tangible, Joni refer the first. Frankly, in it moral, Joni barely offers solid story's essence but as an amusing entertainment, luckily Joni kept his promise well.

Joni (Nicholas Saputra) is a professional film's roll deliver which is keen with his job. He's so determined in his job and make a pact to him self to make the delivery always on time. One day, his pact is on a test, when he promise to a beautiful movie viewer (Mariana Renata) to keep the accuracy of the delivery's time. And he do it just to know the woman's name. He has a strong will to keep his promise, despite he knows that woman has a high temper boyfriend (Surya Saputra). However, don't know why, suddenly everything goes wrong for him that day and seemly reverse against him. There's so many events that he must endured just to fulfill his promise! Despite the incoherent plot logic, Janji Joni appears with a good sense in quality and making. The vintage impression is well done with colors choosing and setting. Animation and narration in the beginning of the film is also put a plus point to this movie and just make it more unique and differs form other feature available in Indonesia. Kudos to Joko Anwar as the director. Eeventhough this is his pictorial debut, but he's seemingly really know what he wants, with the result that a good movie to watch.

This movie is also appears without almost no score because as the musical background it only performs the songs from it soundtrack album, which is featuring the Indonesian independent bands. This is new and quite a brave decision, but actually has a sufficient relevancy as the scores, even sometimes unmatched with the scene.

Nicholas Saputra is try to come out form his typical role and he adequately succeed with performing a comical act. Mariana Renata is absolutely gorgeous, but definitely need an intensive acting course. The rest of the casts, such us Rachel Maryam, Sudjiwo Tejo, Gito Rollies, Ria Irawan and appearance of many cameos is putting more luster in this feature. The shocking value in this movie is definitely the reappearance of the senior action star, Barry Prima and he willing to make a different role from his accustomed to act. What a comeback! Janji Joni obviously an interesting movie. Stand as an instant classic and genially entertainer. This feature won't be a boring moment, even we watching it again and again. Highly recommended!