Janji Joni

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.

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

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!

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

It's the first time I really enjoy Indonesian next-generation movie. The combination of original storyline, smart dialog, satire humor, talented casts, beautiful pictures and awesome music tracks make this movie very enjoyable. Joko Anwar proves that he's a talented scriptwriter and also a prospective director. As a scriptwriter, he built the original story and developed humorous dialog with satire and social-critical nuances in it. Some of us may not get in of humor like that. As a director, he's the kind of perfectionist and he really knows what he wants in making his movie.

The script is the ultimate strength of this movie and it's so rare in Indonesian cinema. I wish this movie will motivate other Indonesian filmmakers for using good script in film-making. I am the one of them who thinks the script and story are the soul of a movie.

Other strength is the casts. From the hard-working Nicholas, the dazzling Mariana, the impressing Surya, the effectiveness of Fedi till the cuteness of Dwiki....they give fresh-air to the future of Indonesian cinema.