Is Take Me Away Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1981)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

In the evolving tapestry of Drama cinema, the 1981 release of Take Me Away stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Abdul Rauf is a novelist. 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: "Abdul Rauf is a novelist. On his journey to find inspiration in the war-torn Vietnam, Rauf loses a friend in a battle. He feels the destruction of human dignity in war. In addition, Rauf fails to win the love of Bulan, the girl of his dream as her mother considers that he has no future. When he goes to Singapore, he meets Kartika, the guitar player and daughter of Dr. Ibrahim Mahmud M.A., an Indonesian dictionary researcher. Kartika happens to be a friend of Rauf’s cousin, Ria, and they have just returned from Tokyo and stopped in Singapore to visit Ria’s parent who is a diplomat. Kartika, who is spoiled by her father, is attracted to Rauf and they fall in love. Kartika’s father does not like Rauf as the latter once dubbed him as a lice-seeking grandpa. Dr. Mahmud then becomes sympathetic after he reads Rauf’s latest novel given to him by Kartika."

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. Roy Marten 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 M.T. Risyaf 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 109 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 Take Me Away 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, Take Me Away explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1981 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and M.T. Risyaf 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, Take Me Away 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 Roy Marten or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Take Me Away is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.