Actor Dwi Sasono (left) and actress Asmirandah in “Firasat”, a part of Rectoverso. (Courtesy of Keana Production)

In the name of love, some people choose to remain silent. They keep their feelings from the ones they love due to a lack of courage or challenged by circumstances.

Rectoverso is an omnibus of five stories about the multiple facets of love adapted from a short story collection with the same title from author Dewi “Dee” Lestari. Soaked in five heart-felt sound tracks, also written by the author, the movie tries to elaborate the emotional landscape behind the silence.

Actresses Marcella Zalianty, Rachel Maryam, Olga Lidya, Happy Salma and Cathy Sharon challenge themselves, respectively directing “Malaikat Juga Tahu” (Angel Knows), “Firasat” (Premonition), “Curhat Buat Sahabat” (Stories for My Best Friend), “Hanya Isyarat” (It’s Only a Sign) and “Cicak di Dinding” (Gecko on the Wall).

“Malaikat Juga Tahu” tells about a man with autism, Abang (played brilliantly by Lukman Sardi), who lives with his mother, Bunda (Dewi Irawan).

Abang helps his mother running a rental room business in their home. Among their several tenants, Abang can only befriend caring Leia (Prisia Nasution). Secretly, Abang falls in love with Leia.

The situation gets difficult when Abang’s brother, Han (Marcell Domits), arrives and stays in the house. The instant spark between Leia and Han comes at the risk of Abang’s inconsolable hurt.

In “Firasat”, Senja (Asmirandah), a girl blessed with a sixth sense, joins a prophetic club. Restlessness about her ability draws her to the club. She falls in love with Panca (Dwi Sasono), the club’s charismatic leader. As their relationship gets more intimate, Senja advances her ability, prophesizing death.

“Curhat Buat Sahabat” tells about a classic friendship-turn-love story of Amanda (Acha Septriasa), a girl who has constant trouble with love, and her best friend Reggie (Indra Birowo), who’s always there for her.

One day, Amanda falls sick and realizes that she does not have anyone to turn to, except Reggie. Amanda finally learns that the one person who loves her unconditionally is Reggie. This time, will Reggie stay for her?

The omnibus gives a sweet surprise by featuring Indonesia’s long-time darling, Sophia Latjuba, in “Cicak di Dinding”.

Young painter Taja (Yama Carlos) meets Saras (Sophia), a free-spirited woman, in a club. Their one-night stand turns into a friendship, which soon develops into a huge crush that Taja has for Saras. Yet, Saras decides to leave him and asks him not to find her again.

Six years later, Taja meets again with Saras at his exhibition. Unlike last time, now Saras has a little surprise that will determine the course of their lives.

The last film, “Hanya Isyarat”, presents a story of five travelers who meet for the first time after exchanging messages on a mailing list. Four men in the group it hit off very quickly like long lost friends, but the only girl, Al (Amanda Soekasah), chooses to keep distance.

Deep in her heart, Al falls for Raga (Hamish Daud), a man she can only admire from the distance. One night, they have a contest where everyone has to share the saddest stories in their lives. Al wins, but her victory feels nothing as she learns from Raga’s story that it is now impossible to win over his heart.

Overall, the film offers various love stories that are presented by notable Indonesian actors and actress, both young and veteran ones.

Marcella offers a familiar dramatic scene, as Lukman is also the main model for Dewi’s “Malaikat Juga Tahu” music video clip that was released in 2008. Thanks to Lukman’s solid performance along with veteran Dewi Irawan, Marcella’s film stands out among the crowd.

Meanwhile, Rachel gives a twist to the ending of “Firasat”, making it different as compared to the remaining four films, which are faithful to the original stories.

Rectoverso
(110 minutes, Keana Production)
Cast: Lukman Sardi, Prisia Nasution, Dewi Irawan, Sophia Latjuba, Tio Pakusadewo, Acha Septriasa, Fauzi Baadila, Asmirandah, Widyawati, Marcell Domits
Directors: Marcella Zalianty, Rachel Maryam, Olga Lidya, Happy Salma and Cathy Sharon
Screenwriters: Ve Handojo, Indra Herlambang, Ilya Sigma and Priesnanda Dwi Satria, Key Mangunsong
Producer: Marcella Zalianty

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