Writer: Francis See

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Watch this if you liked: Chasing Amy (1997) , Love Actually (2003)

Cinta Yang Satu is the first film produced by Wan's Production Sdn Bhd and it looks like the production house is off to a good start. With Zulkifle M. Osman in the director's seat and Wan Noraini Wan Noh (winner of five awards at the 1994 Malaysia Film Festival with Wanita Bertudung Hitam) as producer, the film's basic foundations seem set.

In the film, Wira (Zul Huzaimi) is a CEO of a construction company. In his spare time, he takes his car out to the drift circuit. He is rich, good looking, very confident and engaged. Every morning, Wira eats at the same cafe and orders the same thing on the menu. Jamilah, (Siti Elizad) who works at the cafe, has had a crush on him since her days back in school when he was her senior.

Jamilah falls for Wira again and despite the fact that he is engaged, pursues him actively. She changes her simple look to something more spunky and thanks to a near-accident, finds herself closer to Wira. When Wira wins the lucky draw organised by her cafe, things get more serious. The prize is a holiday vacation with the staff of the cafe and it is here where Jamilah and Wira start to get intimate.

Zulaikha (Sharifah Sofea), Wira's fiancee, is back from overseas and decides to visit Wira. The surprise is on Zulaikha when she finds Jamilah in Wira's arms.

The film then takes the viewers on a series of events as all three parties come to terms with the situation they are in and start coming up with solutions to the problem.

Cinta Yang Satu is a little different from the usual local movies that I've had a chance to sit through. The story was simple enough to follow and there were enough twists and turns to make the movie quite a comfortable watch.

While the premise signaled a return to the more classic love triangle stories, there were enough elements in the film to make it familiar yet a little different altogether.

The decision to cast lead actors and actresses who previously worked only on television dramas was very bold considering the current local trends that include big celebrity names to boost attendance.

Zulkifle M. Osman was quoted to have said that this decision was a calculated one because it made the characters more believable. The lesser the cast looked like models and celebrities, the more the audience could relate to them.

The gamble paid off quite well and there were some very noteworthy performances. Zul Huzaimi who plays Wira, was a convincing male chauvinist and although his performance still does need some work as sometimes his expressions tend to confuse his intentions, he played the part well. Nabila Huda also deserves a mention for a very confident performance. There was definitely chemistry in the cast from the main line-up to the guest appearances by some of the more familiar faces like M. Rajoli and Aida Rahim.

As a light love story, Cinta Yang Satu was a rather entertaining and fine debut from Wan's Production Sdn Bhd.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008