Yeah. None of you thought I do Malay movies, much less write about one.
I surprise even myself, sometimes.
I wish I can tell you that I approached this movie with an open mind, but we all know that would be a lie. The thing about Malay movies is that they are generally made of suck of the highest order. It's either about the hedonistic lifestyle of the rich, or about a kampung girl losing her innocence to someone from the city, or about the vast difference of social standings, or about bad main characters who learn their lessons a little too late, or "comedies" that are actually full of slapstick. Most of the time you can tell how the story ends 10 minutes into a movie, because Malay movies are so bloody formulaic.
So I approached "KIL" with a certain trepidation. I heard that it's a good movie, different from what we usually get. I wanted badly for it to be good, but my prejudice against Malay movies was too strong.
The premise is simple. Akil, or Kil, acted by Redza Minhat, has given up on life and contemplates suicide. He even attempted to off himself several times, but he could never see it through. When he discovers about a company named Life Action Bureau (LAB) that specializes in killing clients who want to commit suicide, he grabs the chance and signs the contract. That's when good things start to come into his life, and he slowly appreciates being alive. The stake is losing his life to an unknown assassin, the same life that at the beginning of the movie he wants to throw away, but toward the end he is desperate to keep.
Right from the start you can tell that it's a quiet movie, subdued, almost dignified. You can tell that there won't be any rempit motorcycles or racing modified Protons, or Malay folks getting drunk (Muslim Malays are barred from consuming alcohol, btw).
Just plenty of cigarettes.
Let me tell you that I am in love with the cinematography and music score. Forget the fact that the movie is a low-budget one, filmed over 11 days. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. It doesn't have that typical Malay movie vibe. ALHAMDULILLAH FOR THAT! I expect this level of cinematography from Indonesian and Thai movies, so "KIL" blew me away with this particular awesomeness. The music score is spot-on and complements the story.
Acting-wise, Redza Minhat has done a great job. Sure, his dialogs are sometimes stilted, and I notice a certain awkwardness and discomfiture, but overall, he's a convincing protagonist. A lot of people complain about Cristina Suzanne who portrayed Zara, the person who becomes the reason Akil wants to live, and I think I can see why. She has this Kristen Stewart & Keanu Reeves vibe about her. One expression to rule them all. However, her quirkiness comes through when the story calls for it, and if someone like her comes into my life, I wouldn't want to kill myself either. It's not just about her looks, which is pretty but not gorgeous. Zara is almost like Zooey Deschanel in "500 Days of Summer".
Come to think of it, "KIL" has the same atmosphere as "500 Days of Summer".
Which is a good thing. Trust me.
I did mention that the premise is simple, right? The twists, however, hot damn, I appreciate the twists to the highest order. The reason behind Kil's desolation only comes later in the movie, but the foreshadowing is good. Zara's true identity is revealed through a sub-plot that mirrors the main storyline, but that's not even the twist. The foreshadowing is good. There's not a single deus ex machina moment. AT ALL.
If there is one thing Malay filmmakers can take away from this movie, it is its excellent foreshadowing. The twists don't feel contrived, and everything comes together in a satisfying ending. The denouement is good, too.
"KIL" is not a movie about the hedonistic lifestyle of the rich, or about a kampung girl losing her innocence to someone from the city, or about the vast difference of social standings, or about bad main characters who learn their lessons a little too late, or "comedies" that are actually full of slapstick. It is not fast-paced, so it is not for action lovers.
What it is, is a big step forward for the Malay movie industry.
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