Jakarta. If you are looking for some romantic movies to watch, try “The Architecture of Love” -- the latest film by Indonesian filmmaker Teddy Soeriaatmadja. 

The movie bases its story on the romance novel of the same name by author Ika Natassa. Personally, I have not read the book, thus I cannot comment on whether the movie stays true to the novel or if some changes to the story do happen. 

“The Architecture of Love”, which is now out in Indonesian theaters, follows the story of finding love post-separation. 

Raia Risjad (Putri Marino) is a best-selling author who does not have that much luck in love. After divorcing her cheating husband Alam (Arifin Putra), Raia flies to New York to get rid of her writer’s block. She then has a meet-cute moment with River Jusuf (Nicholas Saputra) --the calm architect who is dealing with his own personal struggles--  at a party. River is trying to cope with grief after his pregnant wife gets killed in a car accident. We then have some love triangle in the mix as Aga Jusuf (Jerome Kurnia) --who turns out to be River’s brother-- is smitten with the author, although he at first does not know that his sibling likes the same woman.

Plot-wise, “The Architecture of Love” --also known by its acronym TAOL-- is your ordinary romantic movie. But just because the story is predictable, it does not strip the enjoyment away. 

Like most romantic movies, “The Architecture of Love” comes packed with cheesy lines. While some moments make you cringe, you still find them heart-fluttering at the same time. The lines in the movie are relatable -- the kind of dialogue that makes you think of your personal love life. On their “dates”, River will take Raia (and the audience) around New York, and tell the history behind the buildings. As they explore New York, you will get reminded of the time you spend with your loved one strolling around the city -- even if your dates do not take place in NYC. 

“The Architecture of Love” also shows the bad sides of love: the pain and mixed feelings felt when someone ghosts you. The struggles of finding love again after a heartbreak. The nearly two-hour-long movie also gives you snapshots of how one copes with grief.

I remember how the entire theater audibly gasped when the movie revealed it had always been Diaz Umbara (Omar Daniel) -- Aga’s friend and the love interest of Raia’s bestie Erin (Jihane Almira)   -- all along who has been anonymously sending Raia flowers. However, some might find this plot twist unnecessary as the story does not explore many interactions between Raia and Diaz. Still, there is something called having a secret admirer.

The movie has a star-studded cast with Putri Marino, Nicholas Saputra, and Jerome Kurnia joining -- all have taken home the prestigious Citra awards. However, “The Architecture of Love” does not let the actors explore much of their acting. They are all okay in the movie, but there is not much I can say in the acting department.

Overall, “The Architecture of Love” can be an option if you are looking for something to watch for a movie date. It is a simple romantic movie but still gives you butterflies in your stomach. 

Add as a preferred source on Google +