Janji Joni

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

Like: Simply unique and original story. Most Indonesian or Hollywood movie makers trying so hard to make story with sophisticated characters and overly dramatic plot, which became too unrealistic. But I really appreciate this movie's idea about ordinary person with unpopular job with simple mission. It's simple but not cliché, and doesn't make us less care about the character. Totally breakthrough in the story and main character.

Dislikes: The script/dialog is very intelligent and funny, but then it's WEIRD because why should remarkable, intelligent quotes come from EVERY characters; including small children...?? It's definitely not real. It is like all of the characters has scriptwriter's mind. Everyone talk fast, but in reality not everyone talks at the same pace, especially not everyone is fast in witty jokes like the scriptwriter!! If only every character were more developed with different mind, different accent, and different way/pace of talking, that would be more realistic.

The time line is also confusing. It's not make sense that Joni had all of those unexpected things during half movie. is it 1 hour? or what? is not clear or believable.

Aside from those flaws, this is still quite enjoyable movie

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.

**** (out of *****)

Janji Joni is an Indonesian movie which was made with audience in mind. After an endless series of low quality teen flicks and pretentious art films, Janji Joni feels like pure oxygen amidst the heavily-polluted Jakarta. It's hip, fresh, original, witty, and may not be as light as it appears to be. This, undoubtedly, will be the first commercially and critically successful Indonesian movie that really deserves it for a long time.

Writer/director Joko Anwar has created a movie that oozes with charm and intelligence. The story itself, if you think about it, is actually a bit absurd. But Anwar plays it like an expert juggler. Naturalistic acting blends so well with a potentially campy storyline. It's technically crude but nevertheless fascinating. Some ineptness actually adds to the film's charm. Full of memorable scenes that will make audience want to revisit over and over again.

No one knows why Indonesian filmmakers are so fond of art movies. They seem to think that if you want to be regarded as a good filmmaker, you should make an art movie. Too bad there's no good art movie yet produced in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the other side of the group think that they can produce low-quality craps and just put them on the theaters. Both groups are killing the industry.

It's so refreshing that finally a commercial movie got made with competence. Janji Joni is hip, smart, and never take itself too seriously (even though many critics tried to analyze the movie deeper than they should be). Janji Joni is basically an independent movie on a larger scale. Full of big stars and many locations even though it was shot in 19 days according to IMDb.com. It's raw but yet audience-friendly.

Full of unforgettable characters from the beautiful Mariana to the cult actor Sujiwo Tejo and underground action superstar Barry Prima.

This movie is a rebel many people will love.