Rectoverso (2013) Movie Review

 

Rectoverso | 2013 | 1h 50m
Genre: Drama/Romance | Country: Indonesia
Director: Olga Lydia, Rachel Maryam, Happy Salma | Writers: Priesnanda Dwisatria, Venerdi Handoyo, Indra Herlambang
Cast: Lukman Sardi, Asmirandah, Yama Carlos, et al.
IMDB: 7.3
My Rating: 9/10

Rectoverso is a film with five different love stories adapted from Dewi "Dee" Lestari's 2008 music album of the same name:  Malaikat Juga Tahu, Hanya Isyarat, Firasat, Cicak di Dinding, and Curhat Buat Sahabat.

Warning:

Contains scenes with alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking, and sensuality.

 
Synopsis:

Malaikat Juga Tahu:

Abang (Lukman Sardi), son of a landlady suffering from autism, has unique habits only he understands. Leia (Prisia Nasution), a tenant, has a good relationship with Abang, seemingly understanding his feelings and thoughts. Abang falls in love with Leia because of her attitude towards him.  His mother worries, especially after his younger brother, Han (Marcell Domits), moves back home.  Romantic feelings develop between Han and Leia, which would deeply hurt Abang.

 

Hanya Isyarat:

Al (Amanda Soekasah) travels with four other backpackers. Unlike her friends, who are close to each other, Al is often alone. She secretly falls in love with one of her companions, Raga (Hamish Daud). Al can only gaze at Raga's back from afar. One night, she finally interacts with him, but realizes her love will never be reciprocated.

 

Firasat:

Senja (Asmirandah) has precognitive abilities. She joins a precognitive community and becomes close to the leader, Panca (Dwi Sasono). One day, Senja has a premonition that someone will die, believing it is Panca.

 

Cicak di Dinding:

Taja (Yama Carlos) meets Saras (Sophia Latjuba) at a bar. Their first encounter is intimate but ends abruptly. Days later, they meet again unexpectedly and become closer. Taja falls in love with Saras, but she leaves without explanation. Six years later, they meet again.

 

Curhat Buat Sahabat:

Amanda (Acha Septriasa) confides in her friend, Reggie, about her failed relationships. Reggie frequently listens to Amanda's woes about her boyfriends and problems, always being there for her. Reggie secretly harbors feelings for Amanda, which she only realizes too late.

 
Review:

Rectoverso is a film with a fascinating concept, combining five unrelated stories into one.  The film successfully harmonizes these diverse narratives.

The background stories and characters in each segment are well-presented. Conflicts are well-developed, with resolutions left open to interpretation. The poetic dialogue adds depth.  However, the storytelling might feel slightly uneven, with some stories more prominent and detailed than others.

The supporting music and its placement are appropriate. The camera movement, cinematography, and color composition are well-executed, allowing viewers to see necessary details.

Malaikat Juga Tahu:  This story features a unique character and an unexpected perspective. Lukman Sardi's acting is captivating; portraying such a character is not easy. This is the most prominent and impactful story.

Hanya Isyarat: The story idea is good, but feels somewhat empty, perhaps due to overly poetic language that feels awkward. The acting feels unbalanced, with lacking chemistry. However, it's still enjoyable and has potential for further exploration.

Firasat: The beginning is slightly confusing, but the story idea gradually unfolds, making it engaging. The acting is good and natural. This is my second favorite story.

Cicak di Dinding:  The story idea is unique, with some scenes more sensual than others. The acting is good, though Saras's reason for leaving Taja previously is unclear, leaving room for further exploration of the story's depth.

Curhat Buat Sahabat: This story is less deep than the others, with less palpable chemistry and dialogue compared to the other stories. However, it has potential for further development.

Overall, this film has interesting and unique stories.

 
Memorable Scene:

Senja's failure to warn Panca about her premonition leads to complex emotions. The scene of Senja standing in the rain depicts this complexity. Her dialogue reveals her trauma and guilt over her father and brother's deaths.  We often feel guilty when we can't prevent bad things from happening to loved ones, even when we've tried our best.

 

Memorable Dialogue:

"Abang's love for you isn't just from his heart, but his soul."

 

Ending:

Cliffhanger

 

Recommendation:

Must Watch

 

(Aluna)