Title : Getaran
Year : 2001
Director : Nagaraj
Screenplay : Nagaraj
Cast : Awie, Fiza (Elite), Kumpulan Kristal, Faizal Hussein, Aida Rahim, Opie Zami, Bob Lokman, etc.

Reviewer : Meor Shariman

Movies Bollywood-esque Awie flick

Getaran is a made in Malaysia Bollywood movie.

It has over-the-top fight scenes, lengthy musical sequences, nonsensical humour and a far-fetched storyline - all the ingredients of a Hindi blockbuster.

Like any Bollywood film, this latest offering from SV Production will definitely attract local movie-goers.

Nope, not because the story is good, but due to the controversy surrounding the two leads - Awie and Fiza (Elite). Rumour has it that the two are madly in love on, and off, screen. What made it more juicy is the fact that Awie is married with one kid and that their "affair" started while shooting the film.

So, fans will definitely flock to the cinemas to see how "lovey-dovey" the lovebirds are on screen.

If that is your main purpose, you will not be disappointed because there's a lot of hand-holding and hugging between the two.

But the love story between Awie and Mona (Fiza) is not the centre of the plot. Getaran is not about their love affair but about the making of a rock group, Kristal.

Kristal, to those who don't already know, is a rock band founded by Awie two years ago, comprising five school boys. They are the heart of Getaran and did a good job in their first acting effort.

Others in the cast include Faizal Hussein, Aida Rahim, Opie Zami and Bob Lokman.

The Synopsis
Awie is a mechanic who owns a workshop. One of his workers is a boy whose group, Kristal, is set on becoming recording artistes.

The group seek Awie's help and he agrees to be their manager due to his love for music. Awie meets Mona when she turns up at the workshop after her car breaks down and he finds out that she works at a studio.

Mona is attracted to Awie's romantic, caring and helpful ways, although he's branded as "brutal" by those who know him.

The two meet again when Awie wants to rent a studio for Kristal and love blooms. Mona expresses her love but Awie tells her that his priority is to help Kristal achieve stardom.

Mona then agrees to help Awie to realize their goal. She approaches Zamri (Faizal Hussein) who works with a well-known recording company for help.

Zamri, who is interested in Mona, is jealous when Mona introduces Awie as her boyfriend.

Zamri hires thugs to warn Awie off Mona. In a fight, Awie sustains a serious head injury and is sent to a mental institution.

Without a manager to guide them, the boys in Kristal lose their way and even refuse to perform at the launch of their album, putting their career and dreams on the line.

Of course, like any other Hindi film, it has a fairy tale ending.

The Critique
As mentioned earlier, Getaran will get fans to the cinemas. In fact, Awie and Kristal fans may want to watch this film more than once.

The strength of Getaran is not the storyline but its commercial value.

Putting Awie and Fiza together and fuelling it with controversy is a move that will fill the theatres.

Whether the "affair" is true or a gimmick, it does not matter, since it has been successful building the hype.

It is unfortunate that this film arrives a year after Kristal released its debut album, thus forcing the producer to "sell" Awie and Fiza.

The Acting
Awie is again a mechanic cum musician, a role that he has portrayed several times in the movies.

But this time, the role is more challenging as he has to portray a mentally-ill mechanic cum musician.

Is he convincing? Hmm...quite and he might get a nomination for Best Actor next year.

But he is more convincing as a romantic hero, check out the way he woos Mona, holds her and utters "lovey-dovey" words.

Fiza still shows room for improvement. Her acting is okay for a first-timer but she needs to improve on her lip-syncing In some scenes between her and Awie, her intonation spoils the romantic mood.

But as lovers, Awie and Fiza do have the right chemistry.

Sparks do fly in some of the scenes, making one wonder if all the rumours were true.

Kristal is talented and the boys have the potential to go far as actors.

The scene-stealer in Getaran must be Faizal Hussein whose character is a riot. He manages to get the audience to hate and love him at the same time.

Faizal, whose last film was Serigala Malam*, proved that he can play any role given to him with style.

Source : The Malay Mail (1/9/2001)

* Faizal acted in Kanta Serigala (1991), not "Serigala Malam". Faizal's last film before Getaran was Leftenan Adnan (2000) - WebMaster