XL Extra Large

Antara Aku, Kau dan Mak Erot (Comedy, 105 minutes) starring Jamie Aditya, Francine Roosenda, Alex Abbad, Dewi Sandra, Erron LeBang, Sarah Sechan. Produced by Starvision

These days, only Indonesia's horror or comedy flicks are capable of surviving the theater. Although the current generation of Indonesian filmmakers seem to lack any crucial or unified voice the latest round of local movies may provide viewers an instant escape from an otherwise boring afternoon.

XL Extra Large, the latest movie by filmmaker/producer/writer Monty Tiwa is a step up from Maaf, Saya Menghamili Istri Anda (I'm sorry, I impregnated your wife) of the same genre.

Monty's choice to pair goofy Jamie Aditya and Francine Rosenda worked because there is an on-screen chemistry between them. Their engagement sizzles throughout the entire movie, keeping audiences appetite for romantic passion afire.

Deni (Jamie Aditya) is a handsome bachelor with low confidence in bed. Somewhat lacking in the "manhood" department. Deni attempts to gain experience from an honest prostitute called Intan (Francince Rosenda).

Deni perceives his apprenticeship as a necessary right of passage en route to the altar for an arranged marriage with Vicky (Dewi Sandra).

R&B singer Dewi Sandra plays the part of the overbearing lady in waiting to a tee. Her performance provides the back-bone of this comedic drama. Audiences may therefore expect to see her in more comedies to come.

Deni's path to experience leads him to visit "Mak Siat" (Sarah Sechan), a witch doctor from West Java known for her ability to increase the size of male sexual organs. Sarah's role as the sex/witch doctor, while humorous and captivating falls short of the mark.

Although, Sarah initially seems miscast for the role, her performance gradually improves as the movie goes along. Sarah is well known as a creative artist who has done many television projects including work as a presenter. This is her second film role and follows up on her big screen debut in Chants of Lotus.

Deni's two friends, Juno (Alex Abbad) and Stefan (Erron LeBang) serve as comedic impresarios to the unfolding story, lining up Deni's ensuing liaison with the young prostitute.

Although all three actors had fun on the set, the film's dialogue is often dry and unconvincing. Most recent Indonesian movies still need work in the acting department. The tone of the actors is often stiff and unconvincing.

In terms of the soundtrack, the filmmaker gathered a slew of contemporary Indonesian pop songs to entertain the audience. The concept of combining movies and music continues to impact the pop-culture landscape in Indonesia. The film Mendadak Dangdut (Suddenly Dangdut), for instance, catapulted the song Jablai up national pop-charts, while the movie Get Married created an opportunity for Slank to rock out ecstatic dangdut songs.

The plot of XL Extra Large is not bad but it lacks sufficient screen surprises. The beginning and the end of the movie are weak, mostly the fault of the dialogue. Viewers may still however, follow the general idea that the filmmaker is out to convey. This movie is a bit long and as a result the story seems to drag the audiences patience.

Product placements in the film, including the actor's choice of fashion, are blatantly noticeable although they don't distract from the story. One smart product placement arrives during a scene when Deni and Intan are about to have sex. The camera rests on a condom package for more than a moment. This might work better for promoting mass-audience awareness of safe-sex than all of the current government campaigning combined.

Audiences looking for a film which will enhance their understanding of the human condition are probably going to be disappointed by XL Extra Large. There is no deep stuff here, so it is unlikely there will be a need for a second viewing.

Moviegoers looking for a bit of light fun at the cinema, however will certainly be rewarded. Expect to hear more than a few explosions of laughter at the theater for a playing of XL Extra Large. Laughter, after all, can be contagious. (*** out *****)

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