Mencuri Raden Saleh

Once in a while, an Indonesian thriller that doesn't feature Iko Uwais succeeds. This film is one of them. It might be carried by a young cast but the actors prove to be equal to the challenge of making a good action movie/thriller.

Angge Dwimas Sasongko is able to put together a heist movie that doesn't disappoint, and which, in fact, totally gets the viewer's attention. The plus factor is that the object of the heist has great historical significance for Indonesia's struggle against Dutch rule. It's, thus, a worthy object of desire.

Raden Saleh is a highly respected Javanese painter in the 19th century, who like many artists of his age who were involved in nationalistic movements, spent time in Europe. His painting, The Arrest of Prince Diponegoro, which he did in 1857, is considered as his definitive work, and reflects his deep nationalistic fervor. Diponegoro was a key figure in the Java War. He remains, to this day, a key figure in Indonesia's nationhood.

Like any respectable heist film, this has veritable twists. And the way it's carried out is believable.

Kudos to the writer and director for an admirable work aided much by a young cast that performs like veterans on the screen.

This film is very good, the cast is slick and can bring us into the film by Angga Dwimas Sasongko, the action is cool but there are still many shortcomings in this film , there are lots of less important supporting characters like the guy who suddenly comes to help Sarah. Sarah's character is a tomboy but even less romantic than a piko character. But okay, I like the painting part which is really realistic and good with comedy seasoning which is enough to make me laugh it's just that sponsoring brands here is very rude and somewhat exaggerated rather annoying. It's just that smooth acting and CGI help this film

Rate: 8/10.

This movie is not exceptional by doing something new, but because they know how to make each part fun and enjoyable. As a heist movie, it manages to capture adventure, drama, romance, and mystery in one pack with great storyline that came up from a single premise.

The writer/director clearly knows how to give an equal spotlight for all aspects involved from character development, technicalities, visual effects, and so on. I still got bored at times due to very long runtime (2.5 hours) and the pacing is a bit odd with few plot holes, but I have to say it's a very great experience to watch a movie as fulfilling and complete as this. Very recommended.

Exceeds my expectation!

The story telling (which I consider usually lacking in most Indonesian films) is very good even with the twists and turns. Very good pacing that makes 2,5 hours gone in a flash.

Great characters introduction and development to make the audience invested in them. No character is wasted. The casts clearly put themselves into their characters to give such great performance.

Great cinematography, action choreography and editing that enhance and emphasize the scenes and story. No scene is wasted or draggy.

And I also love the backstory of the painting itself and the philosophy that becomes the theme of the film.

Mencuri Raden Saleh is the best Indonesian film in 2022 so far.

This feels weird to me because I can seperates the reviews of this movie into two parts with different impressions. The first part of the movie was very awkward, the actors were overacting, and the catchphrases were very cringe. The personality of actors seems forced that make it looks like they were acting rather than a natural act. It makes me feels like watching a soap opera rather than an action movie. They were very bad at explaining that it feels like they were reading a textbook. The good first part was when the protagonist angry out of stress after done making the art. After that the movie back again with a cringe moment where they create a plan and explaining it. It just very bad in that sense so I score it around 4 only for the first part.

But after the first heist done, somehow the movie feels very different and become more interesting. The acting more fluid and more natural. The heist become really-really good, and the action said the same. The only awkward thing was when they added a new character out of nowhere, who was good at fighting, but there was no explanation who he was. And the other bad thing was about the ending where the movie just ends abruptly, even though there still so many thing that need to be questioned and answered.

Overall for the entire length of the movie, the second part contrastly different than the first part, make it just like a different movie mashed up together, that's how awkward is this. For the second part I give 8.5.

Next is music. The music (or OST) in this movie is very horrible and out of place. It just like an ost out of a comedy sketch. This should be not implemented in this kind of movie. Even if it is, it should not be placed in the entire of movie. It was very unbearable, especially for someone that enjoy atmospheric music in movie like myself.

The Cinematography of this film is superb. That's the only thing I constantly enjoyable from start to finish. If there was no noticable CG, I score it 10 for cinematography alone. But because there were a minor imperfect CG, I score it 9.

Looking at the after ending, my expectation there will be a second movie. I hope the producer learn from mistakes and create more enjoyable movie in the future.