Title : Seri Dewi Malam
Year : 2001
Director : Aziz M. Osman
Screenplay : Aziz M. Osman
Cast : Hairie Othman, Jeslina Hashim, Maya Karin, Danny (X-Factor), Rashidi Ishak, Khatijah Tan, etc.

Reviewer : Reuben Kee
Rating : ***

Seri Dewi Malam - review by Reuben Kee

If you think that the local film industry can only produce love stories and slapstick comedies as a way of making big bucks, then "Seri Dewi Malam" will be the film that breaks all that. It is a combination of "Sixth Sense" and "Ghost," marrying the genre of the supernatural with romance and a human emotion drama.

Seri (Maya Karin) and Azri (Hairie Othman) are a happily married couple whose love and devotion to each other has never ceased. All that changed, when the two of them were attacked by thieves, resulting in Seri being left in a coma. Though Seri is at the dying stage and nothing else could be done, Azri refuses to give in to the doctor's (Rashidi Ishak) advise of putting Seri to sleep.

Enters Dewi, a psychic blind girl who has the ability to read sick people's minds. With the help of Dewi, Seri is able to communicate with her husband. Later, Azri decides to run away with his wife, taking along with him Dewi and her brother, Izad (Danny X-Factor). Because of Dewi's kindhearted ways, Azri soon finds himself falling in love with Dewi but can this relationship last?

Aziz M. Osman is very slick when it comes to telling this story. The cinematography here are quite impressive, not the ones normally used by filmmakers. The director too handles the film well, especially the heartfelt ones which may have been a bit too melodramatic, but well executed nevertheless. The use of special effects too, while may not belonging in Hollywood's class, serves its purpose well enough.

The major flaws in this production will be the script and the acting. The storyline is good and all but there are some scenes that may leave you with more question marks then enlightenment. The process of Azri falling in love with Dewi is not properly laid out and it just happens like that, making you wonder whether it is lust or true love that Azri is after. The other factor is that the film's dialogues are very unnatural and artificial. I mean, who speaks like that in real life?

Acting wise, some of the stars here tend to overact. Think, 1960's like acting, especially a scene where Azri confesses his love for Dewi. If it weren't so serious, it would be very hilarious. In all fairness, there are those that shine. Hashim, who plays Dewi, conveys meaningful facial expressions, but she has problems performing dramatic parts. Khatijah Tan, who plays Azri's Indonesian maid, gives the much-needed comic relief with her wide-eyed acting.

Amidst the flaws in the production, I have to admit that this film is generally very well done. The ending of the film is well handled, so if it works on you, don't expect to come out from the cinema with dry eyes. The bottom line is, this film has shown that Malaysian directors too have mastered the emotional part of movies, and Aziz M. Osman demonstrates this perfectly. A beautiful story that will touch you, but don't expect too much. After all, this is no Hollywood production.

Source : http://www.cinemaonline.com.my (24/5/2001)