Is Tahu Sama Tahu Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1955)
A Sumarna, the deputy head of an office in Jakarta, is suspicious of Karta and several other employees because they live very luxuriously. He asks his boss, Subroto, to investigate and take action against them. Subroto, who feels that he is committing fraud with Karta et al, negotiates to overthrow Sumarna by using Nani, a widow of a dragger. Nani succeeds in taking Surmarna away from his wife, Hayati, and makes Sumarna also commit corruption. Sumarna is arrested and sentenced to five years. Hayati, who is divorced, lives in the village with her child in her parents' house. Because this provides a good education for her child, she returns to Jakarta. She meets Amat, Sumarna's driver, who then invites her to the house of Dul and Mirah, a vegetable seller. Hayati sells rujak. After five years, Sumarna is released from prison, while Subroto et al are sent to prison because their corruption is exposed. When walking in front of Dul's house, Amat recognizes him.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Drama cinema, then Tahu Sama Tahu offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1955 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Tahu Sama Tahu, a standout production of 1955, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into A Sumarna, the deputy head of an office in Jakarta, is suspicious of Karta and several other employees because they live very luxuriously. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "A Sumarna, the deputy head of an office in Jakarta, is suspicious of Karta and several other employees because they live very luxuriously. He asks his boss, Subroto, to investigate and take action against them. Subroto, who feels that he is committing fraud with Karta et al, negotiates to overthrow Sumarna by using Nani, a widow of a dragger. Nani succeeds in taking Surmarna away from his wife, Hayati, and makes Sumarna also commit corruption. Sumarna is arrested and sentenced to five years. Hayati, who is divorced, lives in the village with her child in her parents' house. Because this provides a good education for her child, she returns to Jakarta. She meets Amat, Sumarna's driver, who then invites her to the house of Dul and Mirah, a vegetable seller. Hayati sells rujak. After five years, Sumarna is released from prison, while Subroto et al are sent to prison because their corruption is exposed. When walking in front of Dul's house, Amat recognizes him."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Ermina Zaenah does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.
The direction by the visionary director is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its N/A minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Tahu Sama Tahu truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Tahu Sama Tahu explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1955 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and the visionary director respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Tahu Sama Tahu is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Ermina Zaenah or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Tahu Sama Tahu is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.