Dilan 1990

Never read the novel and been hearing the hype. I finally found it on Netflix. The acting of Dilan character is very bad. This character is already a stalker (creepy). Add bad acting, unnatural speaking tone (what teenager speaks that way?!) into the mix and you end up with a creepy stalker instead of a charming rebel. Other than this, the story telling is a drag, not engaging. I tried to enjoy this movie but it's so bad that I couldn't justify the time I spend (read: waste) to watch it. I don't recommend it.

This movie is so popular for female teen in Indonesia. They hyped about it since the trailer was out. It's maybe to cringey and cheesy for adults, but the promise of seeing a good looking playboy who gives riddles and pick-up lines and looks like he cares nothing but their relationship is what makes them fall head over heels for Dilan.

The technical problem is how the setting not arranged effectively so it doesn't feel nostalgic enough for those who had lived trough 1990s. I even see cars from 2016-2017ish. And I think the girl protagonist may have to advance her acting skill too.

First of all..this movie is a financial success. Very popular in Indonesia. And that makes me think..are Indonesians really that dumb? Ok..what's the positive thing about this movie? The acting from the female lead is decent..and she's easy on the eyes. Other than that..none. The story is so cheesy and the male lead is so unlikable I wanna punch him in the face! And the dialogues..urghh. After halfway of the movie I got out from the theater to smoke a cigarette for like 15 mnts. I just dont care about what happen next or the ending. This movie is trying so hard to be the next 'Ada Apa Dengan Cinta'..and failed miserably. Please just stay away from this garbage..

So i just found out about this movie a week before its release. I've read the books, the first and second (the main story) and i really liked it (the books), and I'm really curious how they are going to cramp 2 worth of novel to a moviel, and boy i didn't expect it to be an adaptation of the FIRST book only.

First of all, the name Dilan has been very popular for the last 2 months in my country, the book itself was huge in selling and i believe 3/4 teenagers in Indonesia ranging from 13 to 24 have read the book so it is really well known. I went to watch it with my friends and we all agree that some books should not be adapted to the big screen.

The Plot

While some may disagree, i think the movie has no plot whatsoever. Yes i know, it needs to stay faithful to the novel, but not like this. It's not a story, it's a compilation of the main character's struggle to capture the heroine's heart, it has some up and down but not a conflict, no conclusion. You felt nothing, not a single accomplishment when you're finally done with the movie. Instead of doing a very close adaptation to the novel, i think the movie will be more interesting if they cramp 2 novel to a one long a*s movie, because they would have a Conflict and a Resolution to the conflict, or even better? They make it a TV series (i know the quality of some Indonesian TV shows but the recent one from NET is better). The point is, they want to milk this movie, getting the most out of it, even if they make something this ridiculous, teenagers and the novel's fan would still see it.

The characters

Okay, let me get this straight, I'm not a hater of Dilan's actor as some Indonesia male teen are, but i think he's not fit to play Dilan, not because of his acting (it's okay) but for his charm. Dilan in the book is neither ugly nor handsome but this guy? Some of female teenagers in the cinema was literally screaming in awe when he get his games out (which i don't like, pls don't be that person). He is too attractive to play Dilan and i know exactly why they picked him, well how to attract female teenagers to watch it? The same formula works vice versa for Milea's actress, but i have no qualm about it because she is supposed to be beautiful. The only thing i dislike about her actress is the way she act, i think it was just a little off and sometimes you will cringe on her acting, but meh, it was probably just me.

Overall

The cheesyness of the dialogue may be too hard to receive when it's your first time seeing Dilan in action (not reading the novel), but bear with it so your gf can be happy, some readers of the novel may understand (especially if you're a male) that the feel you get when reading and watching is different, so if first timers find the movie too cheesy to watch, try the novel, you'll understand why i like it more. The movie itself i think were pretty enjoyable, depends on what kind of person you are. If you're looking for a sweet romance about a girl and boy i think this movie will be enjoyable for you. But if you're looking for a deeper stories or a conflict of some kind that needs a resolution, don't bother watching it. Me personally, i kinda enjoy it because it's really faithful to the novel, but kinda disappointed too because it was the kind of movie that you'll forget when eating dinner after watching it.

This movie is the most iconic romcom of my generation in Indonesia, as many people from all ages know it and people love to quote Dilan's famous pick-up lines in daily life. In my opinion as a teenager, this movie is cute and funny, but very cheesy and predictable. I like Dilan's character, he's funny and unique but his pick-up lines are so cringey and overrated. As for Milea the female lead, her character is pretty boring and such a typical damsel in distress. Also, the book is better than the movie.