Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (2002) Review: An Iconic Indonesian Romance About Love and Friendship

 

Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (Alternate Title: What's Up with Cinta?) | 2002 | 1h 52m
Genre: Drama / Romance | Country: Indonesia
Director: Rudy Soedjarwo | Writers: Mira Lesmana, Jujur Prananto, Rako Prijanto
Cast: Dian Sastrowardoyo, Nicholas Saputra, Ladya Cheryl
IMDb: 7.7
My Rate: 10/10

Cinta and Rangga's awkward first encounter gradually develops into love, but Cinta faces a difficult choice when her feelings put her long-standing friendships at risk.

Warning

Contains violence.

 

Synopsis of Ada Apa dengan Cinta?

Cinta (Dian Sastrowardoyo) is a high school student who loves art and poetry. Along with her friends Alya, Carmen, Maura, and Milly, she is responsible for managing the school's bulletin board.

At the same time, the school is holding a poetry competition, and Cinta naturally decides to participate. Her friends are confident that she will win. However, the result turns out to be unexpected.

Rangga (Nicholas Saputra) doesn't even know that he has won the competition because he never intended to enter. It turns out that Mang Diman, the school caretaker, submitted Rangga's poem without his knowledge.

Cinta becomes curious about Rangga, especially because he is absent when the winner is announced. She tries to interview him for the school bulletin board, but Rangga is not particularly receptive. Cinta becomes annoyed and decides to stay away from him. Still, her curiosity remains.

Their encounters continue, sometimes pleasantly and sometimes ending in arguments. Cinta keeps these meetings secret from her friends, with the exception of Alya, who knows about her growing connection with Rangga.

Meanwhile, Alya's family is going through a difficult situation, and she needs Cinta's support. Unaware of what Alya is experiencing, Cinta lies to her friends to cover up her date with Rangga. What seems like a small lie eventually becomes a serious mistake that puts their friendship at risk.

Will Cinta's feelings for Rangga destroy everything she has built with her friends?

 

Review of Ada Apa dengan Cinta?

Ada Apa dengan Cinta? is a lighthearted film about romance during high school. What makes it particularly memorable is the way the makeup and costumes authentically reflect the appearance of teenagers at the time. The characters don't feel as though they are being dressed or styled to appear older than they are.

The film presents a sweet romance that feels appropriate for the characters' age rather than forcing them into a more mature relationship. This helps make the story feel natural and relatable.

The story development is excellent. The characters' backgrounds are established clearly, while the conflicts are developed in a believable way. The resolution is also handled well, although the way Cinta manages to get into the airport feels a little far-fetched.

The performances from both the main and supporting cast are commendable. Their interactions feel natural, and the actors deliver their characters convincingly. The dialogue also feels artistic despite incorporating some slang commonly used by teenagers.

One of the film's strengths is how well it captures the atmosphere of teenage life without making it feel overly dramatic. The friendship between Cinta and her friends is just as important as her romance with Rangga, giving the story another emotional layer.

Overall, Ada Apa dengan Cinta? is a well-presented film for anyone who enjoys romantic stories. Despite being released in 2002, it doesn't feel outdated. It remains a memorable and legendary Indonesian film from its era.

 

Memorable Scene

During a date with Rangga at a café, Cinta is suddenly asked to sing. Instead, she chooses to perform a musical interpretation of Rangga's poem. Her performance surprises and impresses him.

This scene highlights how poetry can be expressed in different forms, creating another layer of meaning beyond the written words. Through poetry, we can sometimes gain a deeper understanding of what its creator is thinking and feeling.

 
Memorable Dialogue

"Since I met you, I've become a different person."

 

Ending

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation

Must Watch.

(Aluna Uwie)