Angga Dwimas Sasongko, the acclaimed director behind one of Indonesia's best heist films, "Mencuri Raden Saleh," is back with another drama film, this time a spin-off of a character from his previous work, "Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini". While the previous two spin-offs failed to live up to expectations, could it be because Angga was not directly involved in their production? We'll have to wait and see if this latest installment can bring back the spark.
Set in London, "Jalan Yang Jauh, Jangan Lupa Pulang" tells the bittersweet story of Aurora's life as she finds love and hope in the city of possibilities. Ganindra Bimo plays Jem, Aurora's beloved senior in college and boyfriend who also migrated from Indonesia. Although things seem perfect and passionate between them, Aurora is soon forced to abandon her dreams and studies when she learns of another side to Jem. Fortunately, she is helped by two friends, Honey (Lutesha Sadhewa) and Kit (Jerome Kurnia), who let her stay at their apartment. This film focuses on the character Aurora who is striving to find a "home" that will accept her as she is.
"Jalan Yang Jauh, Jangan Lupa Pulang" is a spin-off from NKCTHI that far surpasses its two predecessors, "Story of Kale" and "Story of Dinda" (which are bad as fuck). The difference between the two is like night and day. It's evident that Angga himself took charge of this installment, as he made sure to not ruin the IP that was built up with so much hard work. Even if I'm not a fan of NKCTHI, I can still admit that this film is… okay.
Angga Sasongko's ambition and vision are undeniable, yet his latest work "Jalan Yang Jauh, Jangan Lupa Pulang" finds the director over-reaching with too many unnecessary elements, resulting in an overly pretentious "show-off" piece. I admit that the narrative of the film is strong and the creative decision to frame it as a "biopic" is pretty cool. However, Angga's laissez-faire approach to the project led to an overabundance of elements, which ultimately left viewers perplexed.
This film eschews traditional narrative structures, making it a difficult watch for those more accustomed to mainstream films. Its ambition to break away from formulaic conventions, while commendable, occasionally undermines its dramatic potency, leaving some viewers feeling alienated or unsatisfied. If this film were streamlined and given a more cohesive narrative structure, it could unlock a greater potential for dramatic impact.
This film provides a powerful and captivating exploration of the search for a sense of home. It is successful in demonstrating that family can take on many forms beyond the biological, and does so with great finesse. While the story is excellent, Angga's tendency to be overly verbose in his storytelling detracts from the viewing experience.
Although it has many shortcomings, this film is supported by the outstanding performances. It is bolstered by the exceptional performances of Sheila Dara, Lutesha, and Jerome Kurnia, whose smooth, natural dialogue adds an extra layer of realism. It's easily one of the strongest ensembles of the year.
"Jalan Yang Jauh, Jangan Lupa Pulang" is a heartfelt film that offers a cinematic experience like cuddling up with a thick blanket, but its occasional pretentiousness may leave viewers feeling a bit underwhelmed.
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