Arisan! (2003)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Nia Di Nata

Writers:

Joko Anwar (writer)
Nia Di Nata (writer)

Release Date:

10 December 2003 (Indonesia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Unhappy people can make a happy picture

Plot:

Friendship and principles are put to a test in the circle of Jakarta's social elite which can be as turbulent as the city's slums.

Plot Keywords:

Gay Interest | Piano | Drag Queen | Infidelity | One Word Title

Cast

Cut Mini Theo	...	Meimei
Tora Sudiro	...	Sakti
Aida Nurmala	...	Andien
Surya Saputra	...	Nino
Rachel Maryam Sayidina	...	Lita (as Rachel Maryam)
Trey Gondokusumo
Lili Harahap	...	Grace
Aurora Yahya	...	Fanny
Wilza Lubis	...	Nuri
Nico Siahaan	...	Ical
Tika Panggabean	...	Masseur
Jajang C. Noer	...	Psychiatrist
Ria Irawan	...	Yayuk Asmara
Indra Birowo	...	Rama
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Abraham	...	Gyneocologist
Joko Anwar	...	Restaurant Manager
Marchia Caroline	...	Wulan
Reuben Elishama	...	Reuben
Henny	...	Lusi
Debie Katharina	...	Merry
Ricardo Marpaung	...	Police Officer #1
Joshua Pandelaki	...	Bob
Rako Prijanto	...	Police Officer #2
Danny Saputra	...	Theatre Manager
Tino Saroenggallo	...	Gallery Owner
Erly N. Senjaya	...	Pregnant Drug Dealer
Titti Soewarno	...	Maid
Sapto S.	...	Yung Yung

Also Known As:

The Gathering (International: English title)

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

Indonesia

Language:

Indonesian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Bandung, Indonesia

Company:

Kalyana Shira Film

Trivia:

This is the first Indonesian film to use high-definition color enhancement.

Well done!

Arisan! is telling us about three people whose befriend since their in high school. Now, in their thirty something age, they are supposedly mature enough to gain their own personal life. They are good looking, success, rich and happy, or aren't they? Memey (Cut Mini) is a successful business woman and marrying a handsome and successful husband. Her friend Sakti (Tora Sudiro) is her co-worker and state as an eligible bachelor. Meanwhile Andien (Aida Nurmala) is a devoted housewife to her twice older husband and her children. Their life seems perfect, until when they join a social gathering call Arisan, their secret is unfolded and their friendship is at a risk.

Arisan! is a satire about "A" class society and hypocritical that used to veil their life. The direction form Nia DiNata is a first class. The plot is build well and the progress of the characters development is stunning. Both comedy and drama are sufficient enough and the photography is subtle and contributing much for the whole film. The mood is constant on the track to make this a truly winner, both as an entertain package and social critique. The one thing nuisance me that Arisan! is running on a slow pace, but at least it doesn't make a big bother.

If you just looking for a simple entertainer, you may think twice to watch Arisan!, but is very recommended to whose want to enjoy a good picture with quality and absolutely not a B-rate movie.

9/10