Janji 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.

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!

**** (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.

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.

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.