Aruna
& Lidahnya (Alternate title: Aruna & Her Palate) | 2018 | 1h 46m
Genre: Drama/Romance | Country: Indonesia
Director: Edwin | Writers: Rifki Ardisha, Laksmi Pamuntjak,
Titien Wattimena
Cast: Dian Sastrowardoyo, Nicholas Saputra, Hannah Al Rashid
IMDb: 7.1
My Rating: 9/10
Aruna
faces challenges in friendship, love, and her career while embarking on a
journey to rediscover her passion for food and reconnect with her own
sensitivity toward life.
Warning:
Contains scenes of alcohol consumption, strong language, and violence.Synopsis of Aruna & Her Palate
Aruna
(Dian Sastrowardoyo), a food enthusiast who finds inspiration through culinary
experiences, works at the NGO One World. She is assigned to investigate several
locations regarding rumors of a bird flu outbreak that may have affected
humans. The project is conducted in collaboration with the PWP2 institution.
However,
Aruna is skeptical about the seriousness of the investigation because she finds
several inconsistencies in the data she receives. She decides to use the
journey as an opportunity to explore local cuisine with Bono (Nicholas
Saputra), her best friend and a chef who wants to discover new culinary
inspiration. Together, they plan to search for a fried rice recipe that Aruna
has been curious about.
Their
culinary adventure becomes complicated when Farish (Oka Antara), a man Aruna
once had feelings for, suddenly joins the trip. Farish, who previously worked
at One World and has now moved to PWP2, is assigned to ensure that Aruna
carries out her investigation properly.
Meanwhile,
Bono invites Nad (Hannah Al Rashid) to join them. Nad is their close friend, a
food writer, and also the woman Bono has feelings for.
During
the investigation, Aruna discovers several suspicious details, but Farish
refuses to believe her concerns. He also becomes uncomfortable with Bono and
Nad’s presence, which makes him question Aruna’s seriousness toward the
project. Although Aruna does want to enjoy a culinary journey, it does not mean
she is neglecting her responsibilities.
As
personal conflicts begin to emerge, Aruna must face challenges involving
friendship, love, and her own understanding of herself.
Will
Aruna’s journey to rediscover her passion and sensitivity be successful?
Review of Aruna & Her Palate
Aruna
& Her Palate is adapted from the novel of the same name by Laksmi
Pamuntjak. The film presents an interesting combination of culinary culture,
politics, friendship, and romance. Although these themes are different from one
another, they are woven together into a cohesive and enjoyable story.
Using
food as an analogy to represent personal conflicts and emotions is not an easy
task. However, the film manages to do this beautifully. Through Aruna’s
journey, viewers are introduced to various Indonesian dishes that may be
unfamiliar to international audiences. The detailed presentation of these foods
also creates an immersive experience that makes viewers appreciate the cultural
richness behind each dish.
Another
unique element is the interaction between the film and its audience. Several
times, Aruna looks directly into the camera and speaks to viewers, as if
sharing her thoughts and inviting them into her personal journey. This
technique creates a sense of connection, making the audience feel like they are
part of the adventure.
The
performances from the cast are excellent. Dian Sastrowardoyo delivers a
particularly impressive performance, especially in scenes where she has to
communicate emotions through facial expressions alone. Even without dialogue,
her expressions successfully convey the feelings and messages of her character.
The
cinematography, camera movement, and color composition are also presented well,
especially in scenes that require detailed visual storytelling. The film
captures both the beauty of Indonesian cuisine and the emotional atmosphere
surrounding the characters.
Overall,
Aruna & Her Palate is an enjoyable film for those who appreciate
light romance stories with cultural elements. It is not only a story about
food, but also about relationships, personal reflection, and the different
flavors of life.
Memorable Scene
After
seeing the closeness between Nad and Farish, Aruna decides to eat rujak soto
alone. While enjoying the dish, she compares her situation to the combination
of flavors in the food.
Through
this analogy, Aruna reflects on how certain things are not always meant to be
combined, because the result may not be what we expect. This scene beautifully
represents Aruna’s emotions while using food as a metaphor for relationships
and personal experiences.
Memorable
Dialogue
"Some dishes are meant to come from one person."
Ending:
Happy
Ending
Recommendation:
Must
Watch
(Aluna
Uwie)
Had
been published in Alunauwie.com
"This article was originally written in Indonesian and has been adapted
into English for international readers."
 Review: A Beautiful Indonesian Film About Food and Love){kind=link}
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