Preman in Love

Rako Prijanto does have a lot of comedic talent. As does his favourite actor Tora Sudiro (think of an Indonesian Seann Scott Williams). Problem is that after his breakout hit "D'bijis" the director went into quantity instead of quality churning out up to 4 films a year, almost none of them watchable.

This one is a watchable mess, but still a mess. Our hero is Sahroni (tora Sudiro), a local pickpocket and prankster, despised by the whole village community. That is until he lays his eyes on the daughter of the town chief - the beautiful Rini (played by Fanny Fabriana). This provokes romantic thoughts, a will for marriage and multiple hard-ons. Coupled with some fart and poop jokes it doesn't really involve you in the first 30 minutes or so...

But it does get better midway through the film, when the village chief announces a contest between Sahroni and his evil competitor for the hand of Rini - whoever wins office and takes his place as village chief will get Sahroni's hand in marriage. The resulting political campaign is really hilarious at times with a couple of jokes hitting home with a resounding chuckle (that said Prijanto does tend to overcook his jokes and tries to make sure we 'get it' instead of letting it flow).

All in all whatever works in this movie is mostly thanks to Tora Sudiro, an extremely flexible and widely ranged actor. It is a shame however that he starts in such movies, as they are well below his capabilities as a performer.