Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 (2016) Review: A Mature Indonesian Romance About Love, Closure, and Second Chances

 

Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 | 2016 | 2h 3m
Genre: Drama / Romance | Country: Indonesia
Director: Riri Riza | Writers: Mira Lesmana, Prima Rusdi
Cast: Nicholas Saputra, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Titi Kamal
IMDb: 7.3
My Rate: 10/10

An unexpected reunion between Rangga and Cinta forces them to confront the unresolved feelings and misunderstandings that separated them 14 years earlier, reopening emotions they thought they had buried.

Warning

Contains sensual scenes, violence, and strong language.

 

Synopsis of Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2

Cinta (Dian Sastrowardoyo) meets her friends to welcome Karmen (Adinia Wirasti), who has recently recovered from drug addiction. During the gathering, Cinta makes a surprising announcement: she has accepted her boyfriend Trian's (Ario Bayu) marriage proposal.

Milly and Maura are thrilled by the news, but Karmen cannot hide her concern.

Meanwhile, Rangga (Nicholas Saputra) is still living in New York, where he runs a café with a friend. One day, his stepsister visits and asks him to return to Indonesia to meet his mother in Yogyakarta.

Rangga is still hurt by his mother's decision to leave when he was a teenager. The wound has remained with him for years. However, a coworker encourages him to return home and finally deal with the issues he has been carrying.

Memories of Cinta and the feelings he never completely let go of eventually convince Rangga to return to Indonesia.

His first stop is Cinta's old home, but he discovers that she no longer lives there. He then decides to travel directly to Yogyakarta.

Coincidentally, Cinta and her friends are also visiting Yogyakarta. Karmen and Milly accidentally spot Rangga in the city and follow him until they discover where he is staying.

After speaking with Rangga, they tell Cinta that he has returned.

Karmen hopes that Cinta will meet Rangga and finally resolve the misunderstanding between them. Instead, Cinta and Karmen have a major argument.

Karmen's own marital problems have made her afraid that Cinta might eventually experience the same regrets. This is why she insists that Cinta meet Rangga and deal with the unresolved feelings between them.

After their argument, Cinta finally agrees to meet Rangga and seek the closure she has never had.

Rangga and Cinta finally come face to face again. They begin talking and slowly unravel the misunderstandings that have remained between them for years.

As they talk, old feelings and memories begin to resurface. Cinta initially plans to leave before dinner, but she becomes absorbed in their reunion. The two continue talking long after the time they originally planned to spend together.

Meanwhile, her friends become increasingly worried as Trian repeatedly tries to call her.

Will Cinta sacrifice her relationship with Trian for the love she never truly let go of?

 

Review of Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2

Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 is a continuation of Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (2002). Rather than returning one or two years later, the story comes back after a full 14 years.

The first film already had a satisfying ending, but it left one important question: what happened to Cinta and Rangga after their separation, especially with their relationship becoming long-distance?

This sequel finally gives that question an answer.

One of the biggest challenges is presenting their love story in a different form. They are no longer teenagers, and the actors themselves have naturally matured. Because of this, the romance also feels more mature.

The problems they face are no longer the relatively simple conflicts of teenage relationships. Instead, they have to deal with adult responsibilities, unresolved wounds, marriage, family, and the consequences of choices made years earlier.

Most of the main cast returns, which helps the sequel retain the emotional connection of the first film. Unfortunately, Ladya Cheryl was unable to return. However, the writers did not simply remove Alya from the story. Her character is explained as having died in an accident, allowing the story to continue without leaving a noticeable gap.

Alya's absence is partly filled by Karmen, who becomes much more important in this film. While the first film focused heavily on the friendship and conflict between Cinta and Alya, the sequel places more emphasis on Cinta and Karmen's relationship.

The other friends still receive their own moments and remain part of the story, creating a balanced ensemble.

The narrative is systematic and easy to follow. The character development, conflicts, and emotional issues are all handled well, and the story ultimately arrives at a satisfying conclusion.

The sequel can technically be watched without seeing the first film because the connection between the two stories is not overly complicated. The film even provides a brief summary of the previous story at the beginning.

However, I would still recommend watching Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (2002) first. Understanding what Cinta and Rangga experienced as teenagers makes their reunion feel much more meaningful.

Another challenge for the sequel was attracting a new generation of viewers who might not have grown up with the first film.

The original Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? became deeply connected to the teenage generation of its time. Its emphasis on poetry and literature was also an important part of its identity. In a changing era where poetry and literature may no longer have the same widespread appeal, bringing those elements back could have been difficult.

Yet Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 manages to carry those qualities into a different era without feeling completely outdated.

The combination of formal and casual language also helps the dialogue feel natural rather than stiff. The original songs remain an important part of the film, just as they were in the first installment. They are pleasant to listen to and still carry the emotional identity of the story.

Another advantage is the film's use of location.

Several scenes take place in different tourist destinations around Yogyakarta. These locations do more than provide beautiful scenery; they also introduce aspects of Indonesian culture and places that international viewers may not have encountered before.

The performances are undoubtedly one of the film's strengths. The actors have grown older, and that maturity is reflected in their performances.

The kiss between Cinta and Rangga also became one of the film's most talked-about moments, with many viewers comparing it to their earlier kiss in the first film. But the meaning feels different this time because they are no longer the same people they were 14 years earlier.

Overall, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 is a must-watch for fans of the original. More than simply continuing the love story, it gives Cinta and Rangga the opportunity to confront the things they never properly resolved.

The romance may have begun when they were teenagers, but this sequel shows what happens when those feelings remain with them into adulthood.

 

Memorable Scene

Rangga finally meets his mother after many years of carrying resentment toward her.

All the anger and disappointment he has kept inside suddenly disappear in an embrace filled with tears.

This scene beautifully shows how much love can remain hidden beneath years of misunderstanding. Something similar can happen between children and parents: unresolved hurt can create distance, but sometimes letting go of our ego is the first step toward repairing what has been broken.

 

Memorable Dialogue

"I can't imagine my life without you."

 

Ending

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation

Must Watch

 

(Aluna Uwie)