Title : Spinning Gasing
Year : 2001
Director : Teck Tan
Screenplay : Teck Tan
Cast : Ellie Suriaty, Craig Fong, Corinne Adri, Edwin R. Sumun, Sanjeet Jarnail, Hani Mohsein, Rosyam Nor, Jalaluddin Hassan, etc.

Reviewer : Reuben Kee
Rating : ***1/2

Spinning Gasing - review by Reuben Kee

"It's part of my life."

The uniqueness and magic of portraying a culture familiar to audiences seemed to be a thing of the past now, especially among local movies. Most of the products were either bias, ignorant or just plain underplayed by the machinist behind the lens. This is sad, coming from a country that boasts of its many different cultures and a multi-racial community, and the movies are almost a derision to the cause. The lost sense of familiarity and applicability were perhaps the reasons behind the absence of other races, in going in to watch a local production. Needless to say, the local film's market seemed to be trapped within their own limitations. Which is why Teck Tan's "Spinning Gasing" is such a refreshing change and a bravura attempt.

Harry (Craig Fong), after failing his studies in Australia, returns back to Malaysia, only to find himself face to face with the wrath of his beloved father... who is not exactly that "beloved" when he comes to know about Harry's failures. Harry leaves home, and decides to pursue his dream of forming a band that will rock the industry and attaining countless of fans (the great Malaysian dream?). He assembles a rogue team, which consists of the flamboyant Ariff (Edwin R. Sumun), the eccentric JJ (Sanjeet Jarnail), the bitchy Chantal (Corinne Adri), and Harry's long time friend, the noble Yati (Ellie Suriaty Omar).

Fame takes time, as the group finds themselves playing dangdut music at rich mens' parties, which tends to frustrate them, not being able to play their kind of music. But Harry tries to maintain his optimism for the team, hoping against hope in making it big... so much so that he ends up owing money to loan sharks and having Chantal 'accidentally' injuring the "Tai Kor". And what do you do when things get too hot? You run away, as Harry decides to relocate the band to the East Coast and play for a tycoon's son's resort. The journey of getting from here to there comes with many realizations of cultural roots, friendship, hardship, discovering one's inner self and of course... and above all... love.

It's amazing how Teck has managed to capture and conceptualize the ways and conducts seen amongst Malaysians. My favourite scene would have to be the Maggi Mee scenario, which truly captures the familiar vision of something that is considered too facile in our society. It is one of those moments where you will be thinking and feeling to yourself, "hey, I do that as well". Cinematic moments like these are the basis for breaking down racial barriers... I am sure most of us are familiar with the slurping and eating habits of downing the infamous instant noodles. And for all those of you who stay in the urban jungle i.e. Kuala Lumpur, you will be able to testify to the accurate presentation of the grimness and fanciness, if not the jadedness of living in the capital city.

The movie is bold and adventurers, dealing with face-to-face subjects and situations that would be considered taboo by most uptight Malaysians. It doesn't preach, nor does it teach, but it invites us to observe true-to-life flaws of our ethnic culture. And there is where I think the beauty of the script is. It is the ability to balance the controversies with matters of the heart, making the two intertwine and not being bias to either sides. Teck wants to tell a story without having to run the Oliver Stone marathon. And for that, I commend his efforts.

Complains? Hmm, just two. First, there are some non-principal actors here that don't do justice to their roles. They are just not natural, often reading their lines as though they were in a TV Pendidikan-like program. It can be a bit humorous, although clearly it was not done on purpose. The second one would be that Teck has literally forgotten what happens to two of the characters in the movie at the end... watch the movie to find out who and what I mean.

Ellie's interpretation of Yati is one of the most endearing characters ever portrayed. Yati is a real modern-living woman, living a life that seem to be so un-Islamic, but truly harbours a noble ambition. The somewhat unfortunate relationship between her and Harry was portrayed out the right and believable way. Crag's Harry is somewhat stiff, but there is no denying that this hunky hunk has brought the right amount of substance to his role. Corinne seemed to be a natural choice as Chantal, oozing with sinister breeze but justified with the right amount of heart. Sanjeet and Edwin are a riot... almost liken to the more "alternate" version of Laurel and Hardy.

The verdict? I don't think most modern day; generation-X Malaysians have ever seen a truly Malaysian cultural film before. A film about our own familiar surroundings is always nice (which is something that the American film audience have forgotten... that is until recently). Just for that, you should give this a taste, and see that Malaysians too can produce a "fancy" movie. My advise is don't be too much of a stuck-up to miss a film this good. It may not be the greatest feature of all time, but it does boasts of something that has a lot that most Hollywood pictures don't have... loads of heart and soul.

Source : http://www.cinemaonline.com.my (18/10/2001)