Biola Tak Berdawai

Good Story but the acting is as disappointing as any average Indonesian movies.

Ria Irawan provides a nostalgic reminder of her younger years when she was a promising talented child actor in the 80s.

It seems her acting has improved, however the limitations of the settings and directions seems to blunt what could have been a good movie from Indonesia.

The sceneries of the surroundings sites in Yogyakarta makes the movie just bearable.

End.

The poster of the movie - a picture of half a violin - isn't really apealing to watch this movie. Nevertheless, the names on the same poster and the story make you think you are going for a very interesting movie. That could have been the case when the acting would have been better, the story more realistic and the technical aspects would have been handled better. Now it is a movie that makes you almost fall asleep, while you shouldn't cause it is actually very interesting what developes before your eyes. A violin-student meets a young woman, who is accompanied by a little autistic child. The little boy has showed some response to music, and she wonders if she can do anything with music-therapy. It is a story, full of emotions, and even though it is not of a high standard, there are a few moments in the movie where you have to swallow again to prevent yourself from crying.

Where Nicholas Saputra is impressive in his role as the violin-student, Jajang C. Noer, (who plays a very impressive part as the mother in Eliana, Eliana (2002), is here however showing the worst she can. The way she talks and acts does not convince you she is a doctor or a mother. It makes the film keep a distance from the audience, where it should bring the people on the screen actually closer. Here is a story, that especially in Indonesia is one of many. People with handicaps are seen as the outcast of the society, and in many cases end up on the street begging for money, or are hidden by their families. This movie could have given an example that a handicap not means that you are also stupid. But unfortunately, the movie laks to much to convince anything at all.

At times, the cinamaphotography and the decor are impressive, as where the camerawork could have been done better.

It's a pitty...

However, the

One of the most pretentious movies ever made. An Indonesian ballet dancer? A young violist who asked "can I help you?" in a waiter's manner? A doctor-by-noon and Tarot-reader-by-night with an over the top hair style and make-up? Come on! And above all .. a lame story with songs that are ear-breaking rather than heart-grabbing.

A super-holy solitary girl fell for a young violist (who magically, miraculously can play beautiful notes by using only a single string!) after his music could live up a disabled toddler under her care. These two silly lovebirds hug each other instead of hugging the kid after the miracle took place. Wow ... what a hyper-romantic characters!

Soon, the violist will discover the dark past of this Mother-Mary-wannabe ... which is no surprise to me, thanks for the annoying flashbacks!

Best time to go for this movie: you have a blind date, and he / she turns to be a total moron. Watch this movie as a warning to him / her that you are even more idiotic!

Very artistic and philosophical... it's definitely a movie that keeps you thinking for a long time. The story is unusual--about a woman who is battling against post-abortion trauma who has a passion for multi-handicapped children and takes care of a home and an autistic orphaned toddler called Dewa which she had adopted as her own son. An intelligent audience can't help but capture the heart of the story.

The casting is excellent--Nicholas Saputra especially makes a convincing music student who is very emotion-driven (while as Nico admits later on, his only experience playing the violin was that he had to learn to play this movie!).

I just regret that the director didn't quite dare feature a makeout scene. Although the development of the romance was subtle, as the story flows, it became quite obvious that Bhisma and Rinjani were in love. Their successful music therapy for Dewa would have been a perfect occasion for a steamy scene. Provided that Rinjani starts violently resisting before it turns into a sexual activity, this would have played with the audience's emotions more intensely but without undermining the point that Rinjani is afraid of physical intimacy due to a past trauma. It doesn't have to be, and it shouldn't be indecent, but I think it would have been right to display some intimate gesture like a kiss just to make the point that the sparks were there and create a bit of sensation for the audience. The fact that Rinjani's resistance occurred as Bhisma barely had the chance to touch her was rather disappointing.

Other elements such as the rural setting and metaphors drawn from the oriental epic of Mahabharata added a richness to the Indonesian ingredients to this movie. Makes a great juxtaposition to the elements of classical western culture, such as open air string quartet concerts and ballet.

Over all, good movie. Recommended for aficionados of the Indonesian culture with an appetite for philosophy, eastern history, and worthy causes. I'd watch it again.