“Two Blue Hearts” is a sequel film to “Two Blue Stripes” (2019), still directed by Gina S. Noer alongside Dinna Jasanti. However, the star Adhisty Zara is no longer part of the cast, being replaced by Aisha Nurra Datau. The rest of the original cast members remain the same, including Angga Yunanda, Cut Mini Theo, Lulu Tobing, Arswendy Bening Swara, and Maisha Kanna, alongside newcomers Farrell Rafisqy and Keanu AGL. Can the sequel match the critical and commercial success of its predecessor, which garnered over 2.5 million viewers?
The film unfolds four years after the events of “Two Blue Stripes,” where Dara, after giving birth to her son Adam, leaves for South Korea to pursue her studies. During her absence, Bima, along with his parents, cares for Adam, and communication between Dara and Adam is maintained through video calls. Upon Dara’s return to Indonesia, she is met with a cold reception from Adam, but gradually, their bond begins to mend. However, tensions arise when Bima expresses a desire to move out of his parents’ house and live independently. Despite Dara’s support for her husband, both struggle with mental instability, leading to strained communication and affecting Adam.
“Two Blue Stripes” stirred controversy upon its release and is considered one of Indonesia’s quality films, praised for its thematic depth, dramatic intensity, visual aesthetics, and the compelling performances of its cast. Expectations for the sequel are understandably high, with the same scriptwriter and filmmaker onboard. However, “Two Blue Hearts” falls short in comparison.
One of the major setbacks is the replacement of Adhisty Zara with Aisha Nurra Datau. Zara brought a distinct character portrayal that differs significantly from Datau’s colder interpretation, despite Dara’s character evolving into a more mature persona. The casting change results in a loss of chemistry and acting prowess, as Zara possessed talents that the replacement actress lacks. This issue is compounded by weaknesses in the storyline, which fails to sustain the dramatic intensity of its predecessor.
The plot of “Two Blue Hearts” unfolds slowly, with relatively mundane conflicts that lack the gripping tension of “Two Blue Stripes.” The absence of significant threats diminishes the sense of urgency, with many conflicts feeling forced or inconsequential. Additionally, the four-year gap in Bima and Dara’s relationship is not adequately explained, and certain subplots, such as Bima’s father’s illness and Dara’s personal struggles, fail to tie into the main narrative effectively.
The lackluster story has a noticeable impact on the performances, with most of the cast, particularly Aisha Nurra Datau, failing to deliver the expected emotional depth. Even scenes intended to be poignant, such as the emotional confrontation in Bima and Dara’s rented house, come across as awkward and devoid of genuine emotion. However, standout performances from child star Farrell Rafisqy and his co-star Keanu AGL inject some vitality into certain scenes.
“Two Blue Hearts,” a sequel about parenting, is flat and calm without significant conflict and feels loose in the absence of the original cast. This film also attempts to play with visual language, such as shot composition, foreground and background, mirror reflection play, and even ondel-ondel figures, but it fails to make an impression like the first film, which had many memorable shots. This film actually has a lot of potential if its brave enough to take risks. However, the biggest weakness is the absence of Zara, who had stronger chemistry with her co-star. Facial expressions, eye contact, and even small gestures are among the few things that a substitute player lacks. It feels like this could be a factor preventing it from being as commercially successful as it once was.
