Janji Joni

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.

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.

**** (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.

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

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.