It's been years since i last wrote any film reviews... Well at least not for malay movies due to.. err 'political' reasons? Now that i'm 'artiste-free' and not in any in position to be responsible of anyone's career, i think i should be safe..right?
Having said that, added with the handful of free time i have in hand at the moment, i'm gonna write about Ombak Rindu...
When they filmed Ombak Rindu circa mid-2010, i had a question in mind - "Why Maya Karin?"... Isn't it that after the year 2007, somewhere in the Unofficial Rule of Malay Films has stated that - any 'gadis kampung, baik-baik, gadis idaman, cantik, melayu-habis-punya-cantik-giler-dan-kampung-habis' role would be played by non other than Nur Fazura Sharifuddin. So having some knowledge about the story, I thought typically this kind of role would be given to Fazura.. Especially that Maya Karin, to me, has always been this 'classic sounding, primadona-ish looking' tanned Mat Salleh.Yes, Maya has played significant malay roles especially for Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam, (which you can refer here for my take) BUT to me, this Nurul Izzah doesn't quite fit her charisma.. And the choice of Lisa Surihani as Mila? It could also be Fazura's game.
...or so I thought.
But the outcome? Maya Karin and Lisa Surihani. El dente!
For those who have read the book, this cinematic version might disappoint you but not as much as Lagenda Budak Setan (here's my take).Yes, there are some situational differences between the literature and the film but it's not like it changes the story line. I guess director Osman Ali knew that the exaggeration was necessary to infuse the emotions and capture the audience as literature and motion picture does bring a different psychological impact. The screenplay is well constructed with a fair share of time and space without butchering the narrative flow. Almost every scene is necessary and serves a purpose. I dont find my time wasted observing pointless camera pans, or meaningless overated 'lari tepi sawah and jatuh masuk lumpur' montages. If you were expecting a hint of Maya Karin's hotness in wet t-shirt in the paddy fields, then no. Go watch Cun, you perv!! Shooh! Shooh!
One of the many things I love about this film is the framing of the scenes. Although most shots are diegetic, the film displays constructive mise-en-scene and the camera works to its best of the scenes' interest. Like for example, in the scene at the train station where Izzah (played by Maya Karin) leaves Mail (played by Bront Palarae), a high-angle extreme long shot of Izzah walking away from Mail, points to their vulnerability - signifying the last chance Mail has to ever be with her and for her to embark a dreadful journey.
One of the best cinematographic points in the film, in my opinion, would be the scene where Hariz (played by Aaron Aziz) vowed to love Izzah unconditionally under a tree by the little cliff overlooking the sea.
The composition of the background looks surreal as if it was a painting and shot in a sound studio but regardless, studio or not, i think it was well captured. The backlight creates a silhouette to both actors, making the shot a signature of the film. As the camera pulls back, the angle widens, revealing the depth of the isolated, sacred love affair.
WAIT!.. that's not Ombak Rindu... That's Gone With The Wind.. hahahha.. spot the similarities?
This is Ombak Rindu... (if only i have a screenshot of that particular scene from the film... but you guys know what i mean right?)
On the other hand, the film doesn't exhibit much creativity in it's editing. No fancy editing tricks that I can remember. But then again, the excellent camera works does not call for fancy editing after all. Its M&E (Music & Effect) should be given some credit as well. I am asucker for minimal soundtrack ever since Wong Kar Wai's In The Mood For Love where he made several renditions of Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and only that song throughout the film. Ombak Rindu shares two impactful soundtracks, both by Akademi Fantasia's Hafiz and Adira.
I am pretty sure you are looking for my take on the actors. I mean, typically Malaysians are more interested in the actors' performances rather than the film as a whole. So i am gonna throw in my toughts anyway.. :p
The actors. Overall despite their huge individual popularity have successfully carried the film up a notch with their performances. Lisa Surihani finally came out one step from her mould by playing Mila. Finally Lisa.. finally! Her previous portrayal as Ayu in Lagenda Budak Setan was just wrong. Aaron Aziz and Bront Palarae has always shown good performance in their works. Aaron Aziz was only just too good looking as Seth Tan and all other previous work made him hard to hate in the beginning of the film. But he pulled it off anyway. The on-screen chemistry between him and Maya works. As mentioned, Maya proved me wrong. Hopefully proved everyone wrong about her capability in portraying Nurul Izzah.
One thing about Maya Karin that amazes me is that - do you notice that she hardly speaks? Is it me or is it really her dialogues are always minimal. I guess she's gifted with good facial expression. From Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam to Pisau Cukur without saying a word, she speaks.. She can love you and eat you at the same time if she had to. All in a silence... imagine first she laughs at your jokes with those smiley eyes.. and then you die.. just like that.
However, it's quite hard to compute seeing Izzah older that Mila when Mila and Hariz were supposedly about the same age.. Hariz and Izzah suits the picture as Maya and Aaron both have that maturity.. but comparatively speaking, Lisa looks way youthful.. If ever there is an age specification in the story, I think the youngest would be Izzah...or else Mila is just an extreme bitchy spoilt brat who grew too fast and probably got her period at 10yrs old.
Ombak Rindu is not always sweet and nice. Imagine a picture almost perfect only to be spoiled by a bulging muffin top. Yeap, that's one problem I find in this film - Wardrobe. Why let Julia Ziegler wear such tight dress? Mila is a rich, smart, talented girl but she surely has bad clothes! Somebody help her. Another drawback of the film is its continuity. I would like to end this review with a list of Ombak Rindu Bloopers.. but at the same time i don't wanna spoil it as i really want you all to go watch the movie. So i'm gonna save the bloopers for another entry.
However, just for kicks - Lookout for this scene.. Without missing the dialogues (cos it is an important scene), pay attention the water level. ;p
