Aruna dan Lidahnya - Review

By Naylii Sophea

This movie is about food lover Aruna (Dian Sastrowardoyo) is assigned to investigate bird flu cases in several places of Indonesia. Her friends, chef Bono (Nicholas Saputra) and food writer Nad (Hannah Al Rashid), join her on a mission of their own which is culinary delights.

When they arrived at the first city, Surabaya, they run into Farish (Oka Antara), Aruna’s former colleague and crush, who says he is also working on the bird flu cases. Thus, work then takes them to Madura’s Pamekasan as well as Kalimantan’s Pontianak and Singkawang. Along the way, Aruna senses something suspicious in the investigation and is forced to face her doubts along with her unresolved feelings toward Farish.

The movie takes its time to introduce each character’s personality which are the simple Aruna, the adventurous Nad, the easygoing Bono, and the apprehensive Farish. Their traits are slowly revealed through a lot of conversations and small talk over food. Aside from food, love, friendship, religion and politics are on the menu.

As with the book, food is central in the movie, with a total of 21 dishes, beverages, and snacks featured. However, the choices seem to work out, and it’s interesting to note that the dishes featured are not those that are already well-known.

The food shots are presented in a pure way. It is slightly interesting in a way that it will arouse your appetite, but nothing felt very deliberate or conscious. It all comes down to the food’s natural charm and how the camera lets them ooze through.

Restrained feelings are also something familiar to Aruna, who is used to being reserved and process her feelings within her own mind. That could explain the many times she purposefully looks to the audience with various expressions; a sort of invite to see her true feelings, unexposed even to her close friends.

Rating: 8.9/10