This year, Indonesian cinema is again presented with a fresh romantic comedy film entitled Ganjil Genap by Bene Dion. Ganjil Genap is the cinematic adaptation of Almira Bastari's novel with the same title. As a novel reader, I am accustomed to not having great hopes for a film adaptation. Surprisingly, the Ganjil Genap film made by the director of Ngeri Ngeri Sedap meets my expectations.
Ganjil Genap is the story of an 8-year-long romantic relationship between Gala (Clara Bernadeth) and Bara (Baskara Mahendra) in Jakarta. But on their eighth anniversary, Bara abruptly ended their eight-year love affair in a mall parking lot. Gala asked her two best friends, Nandhi (Joshua Suherman) and Sydney (Nadine Alexandra), to help her in moving on and finding a guy to replace Bara. However, fate puts Gala together with Aiman (Oka Antara). Gala's search to find love and move on continues.
A relatable and engaging narrative
From the premise, it sounds cliche and ordinary. However, this film appeals to its target demographic precisely because it addresses topics that are recognizable and relatable to women in their twenties. A basic narrative wrapped in delightful comedy makes this movie one of the comfort movies to watch over and over again.
The iconic memorable soundtrack.
This song's beat and lyrics remain in my head till I leave the studio and go home. The movie, which did not have a lot of soundtracks, really makes the song incredibly tied to the film. The song chosen as the soundtrack is quite fitting in expressing the path of Gala's love story. This song follows Gala throughout the movie, from her romance with Bara to her new story with Aiman. That song has a nostalgic effect on both the audience and the Gala.
Flashbacks that nicely coordinate with the plot's growth
Gala's long journey is barely felt during the duration of the film's two hours. Flashbacks detailing Gala's long journey always come up at the right moment in time. The storyline of this novel is neatly organized and doesn't give the impression of jumping at all. Flashbacks appear to accompany the character growth and the relationship between Gala, Bara, and Aiman. The scene where Gala and Bara's relationship officially ends is my favorite. The flashback in this sequence transports the viewer on a journey through an eight-year romance that begins sweetly and ends delicately.
Overall, I'd give Ganjil Genap an 8 out of 10.
