Writer: Cammy Zulkifli

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects: NA
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: "Wicker Park"

"Jarum Halus" - literally translated as 'fine needle' - is a Malay colloquial term that bears the meaning 'web of deceit' or 'conspiracy'.

Loosely inspired by Shakespeare's "Othello", young Malaysian director Mark Tan has grabbed the backbone of one of the greatest literatures of our time and produced a compelling film that's both contemporary and yet vintage. However, Tan's biggest challenge isn't to paraphrase the novel into film with as much contiguity, but to weave it as close to home as audiences can relate. It is easy to narrate the robust drama with reckless enthusiasm and justify it with the line 'inspired by Shakespeare' but Tan's vision excels in maturity.

"Jarum Halus" is essentially a psychological romance thriller set in the urban jungle of metropolitan Kuala Lumpur, starring a well-balanced ensemble of the young as well as the acclaimed. Daniel Oh (Christien New), an elite executive with a large corporation, eloped with Mona (Juliana Ibrahim), his Malay colleague's daughter. Lurking in the lovebirds' shadows, Daniel's right hand man Iskandar (Razif Hashim) cultivates a dark agenda to keep them apart. Instead of delving into 'romance novel' melodrama, the film impales a side of love that's more tragic and sinister than what we're accustomed to.

Watching the film is perhaps like reading poetry - the script is effectively decorated and meaning is seeped in between visuals. Symbolism is significant throughout the film, whether one cares to notice or not. The jarring mosaic-like shot of Iskandar having pizza with Daniel could very well be a subliminal message that screams 'two-faced' or that he assumes a split personality. But of course, the visuals allow the viewer to freely interpret any given scene as they deem fit. Mona is purposely dressed in either white or red, symbolic of her two most blaring characteristic - innocuous, yet passionate.

Even the term "Jarum Halus" bears a strong significance within the story - how lives can be 'tailored', just as long as your have the 'finest needle'.

Sadly, even with the support of respected veteran actor Dato' Rahim Razali, the rest of the cast could not 'sew' their act together. Christien New, supposedly playing an executive in a rather large company, only manages to come across as a 'Phua Chu Kang' in a suit, and Juliana Ibrahim have yet to graduate from the Mickey Mouse Club. However, Razif Hashim is a saving grace as the dark and brooding Iskandar, pulling off a twisted character without defying the more human aspects of his motivation.

True to its Shakespearean doctrine, the film is a local effort made out of Hollywood sentiments. This is truly one of the most ambitious local produce this reviewer has seen thus far and could very well be one of the best.

As Mark Tan's first feature-length directorial debut, "Jarum Halus" is absolutely in a league of its own. Incomparable to other local films, it easily deceives the eye (and mind) with its highly stylised effects and cinematography - making it look more polished and expensive than one would presume. Packaging aside, there's plenty of room for substance and no cranny was left unswept. The effort invested to produce the film is indeed commendable, and is technically Mark Tan's very own middle finger pointing out to the local film industry saying, "Up yours."

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008