Review 'CALL ME DAD': More Than Just an Adaptation Film

Kapanlagi.com - The film CALL ME DAD tells the story of Dedi (Ringgo Agus Rahman) and Tatang (Boris Bokir), two debt collectors who initially are tough and lack empathy. Their lives change drastically when they have to take Intan (Myesha Lin) as collateral from her mother, Rossa (Sita Nursanti), who is unable to pay her debts.

Initially, Intan is just a burden or collateral. However, over time, their relationship grows into genuine affection, showing that families can be formed not only from blood ties but also from hearts and presence. This film is directed by Benni Setiawan, a Citra Award winner.

Produced by Visinema Studios, a production house known for successfully delivering quality family films such as Keluarga Cemara and Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini, CALL ME DAD is projected to be a must-watch for Indonesian families. CALL ME DAD is adapted from the film PAWN (2020) which was released in South Korea.

Here is the review of CALL ME DAD from the KapanLagi.com editorial team. If you do not want to get spoilers, KLovers can stop reading here.

1. Details to Note

This film is made with great intention. The setting of time and place in the 90s, when young Intan is portrayed, is done very thoughtfully. There are public telephones, calendars, landline phones, yellow pages or phone books, old cars and motorcycles from that era, as well as the costumes of the actors involved in the scene.

Similarly, when Intan graduates from high school in the 2010s. The use of more advanced mobile phones, pocket cameras, and more modern clothing is evident in that scene.

This shows that the film does not only rely on the strength of the story but also pays attention to details that satisfy the audience with its presentation.

2. Flexible Use of Local Dialect

YouTube/Visinema Pictures

Dedi & Tatang are depicted as debt collectors living in West Java. The dialect of Ringgo Agus & Boris Bokir in their Sundanese conversations can be said to be very good. This is because Boris Bokir & Ringgo Agus were born and raised in Bandung, making the dialogue between them or during the debt collection scenes feel very natural.

Similarly, actress Sita Nursanti, who plays Rossa, Intan's mother, hails from Sumedang, West Java. This makes the dialogue in Sundanese between the main characters in the film appear flexible and very fluid.

3. Not Just an Adaptation, Successfully Finding Its Own Identity

YouTube/Visinema Pictures

In addition, the Indonesian version of the film PANGGIL AKU AYAH is not just an ordinary adaptation, but a successful transformation of the Korean film PAWN. This film has its own identity with elements of comedy, a more emotionally draining story, and local culture that has become one of its main attractions.

4. The Power of Acting

instagram.com/panggilakuayahfilm

Tissa Biani, Ringgo Agus, Boris Bokir, Sita Nursanti, and Myesha Lin showcase impressive and total acting skills. This makes the film PANGGIL AKU AYAH not only 'carried' by one or two actors, but almost all of its cast play important roles in bringing this film to life.

Special credit goes to Myesha Lin who plays young Intan. She successfully evokes the audience's emotions with her portrayal of a spoiled, sassy, adorable little girl who likes to sulk, while also testing the patience of Dedi & Tatang.

5. Moral Message About Fatherhood

YouTube/Visinema Pictures

This film presents examples of fatherhood. In Indonesia, the involvement of fathers in raising children is considered not as significant as that of mothers. Most fathers in Indonesia focus solely on work and completely leave parenting to the mothers.

Dedi is portrayed as a father who not only works but also manages to share his time with Intan, who is not his biological child. Dedi throws birthday parties, listens to stories, accompanies Intan to sleep, and takes her to school. This conveys one of the messages the film aims to deliver, which is about fatherhood.

6. Room for Improvement

YouTube/Visinema Pictures

Although it has many strengths, PANGGIL AKU AYAH also leaves room for improvement. In the last half hour, the pace feels very slow. Many key scenes at the end of the film seem 'extended' to create a more dramatic atmosphere. These scenes include the meeting between adult Intan and her biological mother, as well as the encounter between Intan and Tatang with Dedi, whose health has declined after an accident.

This causes viewers to glance at their watches to ensure that the two-hour screening duration is coming to an end. If a sequel is possible, some key scenes could be presented more straightforwardly without being overly lengthy.

7. Rating From the Editorial Team

instagram.com/callmedadfilm

As this article is released, CALL ME DAD is still showing in cinemas across the country. For those who haven't watched it yet, hurry up and go to the cinema while it's still playing. This film is one of the recommended family movies that can be watched together with all family members.

This film received a rating of 9/10 from the editorial team of KapanLagi.com. The combination of the actors' performances, the plot, and the moral message that CALL ME DAD tries to convey makes this film more than just a remake of the film PAWN that was released in South Korea.

Read more information about the film CALL ME DAD at Liputan6.com

(kpl/ums)