Today We’ll Talk About That Day 2023 Movie Review

Today We’ll Talk About That Day is a prequel to the 2020 Indonesian drama One Day We’ll Talk About Today, based on the novel by Marchella FP. The movie, directed by Angga Dwimas Sasongko, follows the lives of Narendra (Jourdy Pranata) and Ajeng (Yunita Siregar), two strangers who cross paths in Jakarta and find themselves drawn to each other by their shared past and present. The movie alternates between flashbacks and present-day scenes, revealing the secrets and traumas that haunt both characters and how they cope with them.

Narendra is a successful architect who lives a lonely and routine life in Jakarta. He has a strained relationship with his father, who blames him for the death of his mother and brother. Ajeng is a cheerful and optimistic journalist who works for a lifestyle magazine. She has a loving family, but she suffers from a rare genetic disorder that causes her to age faster than normal. One day, they meet by chance at a coffee shop and feel an instant connection. They soon discover that they have more in common than they thought, as they both carry secrets from their past that link them to each other. As they spend more time together, they begin to heal each other’s wounds and fall in love. However, their happiness is threatened by the reality of their conditions and the consequences of their actions.

The movie is a heartfelt and bittersweet exploration of love, loss, family, and forgiveness. The performances by Pranata and Siregar are convincing and emotional, portraying the complex emotions of their characters with subtlety and nuance. The chemistry between them is palpable and realistic, making their relationship believable and engaging. The movie also boasts beautiful cinematography that captures the vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of Jakarta, as well as the scenic landscapes of Bali and Yogyakarta.

The movie portrays the realistic and relatable growth and transformation of the characters as they go through the movie which really impressed me. For example, Narendra starts as a cold and distant person who avoids his emotions and his past, but he gradually opens up and becomes more expressive and compassionate after meeting Ajeng. He also learns to forgive himself and his father for what happened to his mother and brother. Ajeng starts as a cheerful and optimistic person who lives in the moment and enjoys life, but she also struggles with her insecurity and fear of losing her loved ones due to her condition. She also learns to accept herself and her fate and to pursue her dreams and happiness.

The major complaint I have is that the movie is a tedious and dull snooze-fest that wastes almost two hours of the audience’s time without any variation or excitement. The movie should have been shorter and tighter, by eliminating some pointless or redundant scenes, such as when Narendra and Ajeng go on a boring road trip, or when they visit some bland places in Bali. The movie also should have been more dynamic and engaging, by adding some more action or humor, or by changing the tone or pace of the movie.

Sometimes the movie felt like it is a pathetic and manipulative tearjerker that tries to exploit the audience’s emotions with endless scenes of sobbing, agony, and death. The movie also resorts to some absurd and unbelievable scenarios, such as when Narendra heroically rescues Ajeng from a fatal crash, or when Ajeng miraculously wakes up from a coma. The movie also abuses some cheesy and corny dialogues, such as when Narendra and Ajeng profess their love for each other, or when they exchange their vows at the wedding.

I have also felt that somewhat the movie is a lame and hackneyed rip-off of a tragic romance. It is obvious what will happen next, and there are no surprises or twists in the plot. The movie also depends on some worn-out tropes and stereotypes, such as the rich and handsome hero, the poor and sick heroine, the evil and abusive father, the supportive and loyal friends, etc.

Today We’ll Talk About That Day is a prequel that tries to tell a different story and style from its predecessor. The movie has a plot that alternates between flashbacks and present-day scenes, but it might not appeal to everyone’s taste. The movie might not be worth your time or money unless you are a fan of the novel by Marchella FP or the director Angga Dwimas Sasongko.