About a Woman (2015) Movie Review

 

About a Woman | 2015 | 1h 16m
Genre: Drama | Country: Indonesia
Director: Teddy Soeriaatmadja | Writers: Teddy Soeriaatmadja
Cast: Rendy Ahmad, Anneke Jodi, Tutie Kirana
IMDB: 7.9
My Rate: 9/10

Abi, a 19-year-old man employed in a 65-year-old widow’s home, and make them to experience inappropriate feelings, only to be hurt again.

Warning:

Contains sensual scenes, nudity, and smoking.

 

Synopsis:

Ibu (Tutie Kirana) lives with her maid, Eli. Ibu is very dependent on Eli for everything from making breakfast and getting drinks to retrieving her glasses.  However, Eli suddenly announces she must return to her hometown, leaving the next morning, causing Ibu disappointment.

Ibu is upset by Eli's sudden announcement and is forced to live alone. She finds it difficult to trust anyone and struggles to find a replacement.

One day, Abi (Rendy Ahmad), her son-in-law's nephew, is sent to the house.  Her daughter and son-in-law, worried about her living alone, send Abi to help and keep her company.

Ibu is initially skeptical of Abi, but gradually opens up and allows him to manage the household. One day, she accidentally sees Abi masturbating in his room. Long-dormant feelings resurface, and a forbidden attraction slowly develops between them.

 
Review:

About a Woman is the third film in Teddy Soeriaatmadja's Trilogy of Intimacy, following Lovely Man (2011) and Something in the Way (2013).  It tackles a unique and daring theme, portraying the feelings of a middle-aged woman and her solitude.

The story is presented systematically and is easy to understand. The background is well-developed, and the conflict and resolution are well-handled.  Although the film features minimal dialogue, this emphasizes the character's loneliness, although some might find it tedious.

The color composition and supporting music create a mood fitting the story. The use of black screen transitions adds aesthetic appeal. However, the camera is shaky and unstable in some scenes.

Some aspects could be improved, particularly the plausibility of the plot. It seems illogical that a 65-year-old Ibu, who appears quite capable, cannot manage herself after her maid's departure. The tasks are standard household chores such as washing dishes, preparing meals, and making coffee, yet the film shows piles of dirty dishes in the sink.

Some dialogue seems overlooked. Ibu tells her old maid that she's been playing a puzzle for two weeks without solving it. She repeats the exact same line to Abi, her new helper. Logically, more than two weeks have passed since the maid's departure and Abi's arrival.  This means Ibu had been playing the puzzle for longer than two weeks before meeting Abi.

The dialogue about the headscarf feels forced and lacks a clear connection to the storyline. It's lengthy and seems overly critical of a particular viewpoint.

Overall, the film is still engaging.

 
Memorable Scene:

Ibu examines her reflection, noticing her aging body, the changes in her figure, and the wrinkles appearing.

This scene confronts viewers with the inevitability of change, something we cannot avoid, as the laws of nature progress with time.

 
Memorable Dialogue:

"Loneliness and emptiness are different, Laras."

 
Ending:

Cliffhanger

 

Recommendation:

Worth to watch

 

(Aluna)