Spinning Gasing (2000) User Reviews

Spinning Around with Five Gen-X Malaysian Youths

[hizam · 8/10 · 18 October 2001]

Good debut attempt from Teck Tan.

Harry Lee, played by Craig Fong, the protagonist, returns to KL with news that he has failed in his studies. His autocratic, typically Chinese father is disgusted, and Harry leaves home after a major argument over determining life directions. Western-influenced, Harry really wants to form a dance-music band and become famous. Yati, Harry's childhood friend, is a modern city girl in her early 20s. Although Yati adopts a fashionable gen-x lifestyle, she has been raised to believe in her Malay culture and Muslim religion, both of which are under threat in this fast-developing country. Her personal perspective is a balanced one; she observes her religious rites, but is in no way a fanatic. Harry forms a new band, which comprises Yati, Chantal (a glamorous Eurasian singer), Ariff (a gay keyboard player) and JJ (an Indian percussionist and tabla player).

The story revolves around these five figures in achieving their dreams and encountering social and cultural obstacles. The movie touches on issues that are not touched by majority of the Malaysian movies: clashes of ethnic groups and contrasting faiths - but in a modern gen-x setting.

Overall, the movie is very sincere in reflecting the current society in Malaysia. Acting wise, Ellie Suriyati played Yati very well with convincing facial expressions. Though she may look forced sometimes, she manage to hide it with her natural suave moves and authentic look. Craig Fong, on the other hand, sounded pretentious with his too-thick Australian accent, which is very unrealistic to represent the country's youth. Also, dont understand why he had to bare his chiseled body in almost every scene... a crowd puller or a heart-throb in creation?

My hope dashed yet again

[pinolobu · 18 May 2003]

I was hoping that my faith in the quality of malaysian films would be restored by this film after so many years, but sadly this film is not it. The same problems plaguing malaysian films are STILL there - unrealistic, overacting etc. why the big deal about the girl suddenly being entranced and then dancing on the beach? nobody does that...only crazy people do, or only during tourism promos. how about the thing about "mee maggi cepat dimasak sedap dimakan" thingy? TOTALLY unnecessary! I was plainly disgusted, not delighted by that time-wasting little scene.

Once more, to Malaysian directors and actors/actresses - u dont need a huge budget or need to show lots of skin in order to make a good film! what u need is a great story, a great script and great acting, that's it.

Malaysia in her true colours.

[teinglee · 9/10 · 2 July 2002]

Spinning Gasing is probably the first controversial movie made about Malaysia's current culture issues. It potrays the reality and yet able to raise questions about Malaysia's culture.

Set in different parts in Malaysia, a bunch of friends of different races set out to form a musical band. Because of bad debt, they were forced to leave the city. They went to an island where they were hired for their performances. In between, romance was flourishing between the lead male and female.

What's most interesting about the movie is how the story was written. A group of friends of multiraces and characters became close because they had the same dream. Each led a separate life but desired for their own music and most of all wanted to live up to their families' expectations. Harry, the lead male having been in the overseas for a long time has a strong egoism and ambitious. Yati, the lead female, a Malay of whom befriended Harry for as long as she can remember was in love with him. She could do nothing about it because he has a girlfriend but most importantly, the interacial relationship issue. The Indian character, JJ added spice to the movie. But, my favourite is of course Ariff, the openly gay character. There's also Harry's girlfriend, who's character is as nasty as it can be.

As the story progresses, each character discovers their true self. For example, Harry who would do anything to live his dream discovered that every action has a price to pay for. Yati realised that her love for Harry is shadowed by the fact that they are of different races.

To be fair, the acting by the cast was overall good. The director also chose a different way of filming the movie, contradicting to most of the local productions in Malaysia. Many foreigners do not understand why the locals like myself appreciate the movie so much. This is because the movie highlighted scenarios happening in Malaysia, which are beyond our control. This is why the movie received 26 cut scenes by the censorship board in Malaysia. Also, it reflects a new era in the local film industry as new ideas are undertaken like making a movie in English. I therefore strongly recommend you to watch the movie and gives it a 9/10.

Spinning... out of control

[toclement · 3/10 · 14 September 2001]

This was the first feature film for just about everyone involved, including director Teck Tan, so they deserve credit for pulling it off. But this film was awkward in its direction, preachy in its style, exaggerated in its acting, and overly politically correct. The plot was all over the place, preventing any aspect of it from developing well. Gangsters get involved in the story, though i'm not sure what their presence added to the movie other than making the film even more unrealistic. They could have been completely left out and the film would have been better as a result.

The plot is about a young ethnic Chinese Malaysian who returns to his home country after studying in the West. His studies have brought him back with the skills he thinks he needs to fulfill his dream of managing a rock band and taking them to the top of Malaysian charts (a rather juvenile premise). The beginning of the film hints at conflict with his traditional father, but once the gangsters get involved this part of the story is dropped unceremoniously.

The film tries to take advantage of Malaysia's wondrously diverse ethnic mix, but unfortunately the manner in which these aspects were put to film either seemed terribly contrived or downright preachy. There is a pretty scene of Malay women doing a beautiful traditional dance on a beach, but the way the vision is integrated into the plot seems forced and unnatural.

The acting came off as somewhat amateurish, and the male lead was particularly unconvincing. The female Malay lead was a notable exception leaving the most positive mark. The film also has an openly gay character, and though he is a bit of a caricature, he provides some of the funnier moments in the film. But the movie was just barely a notch above a typical local television soap drama. Sadly, this film, which is not in the least offensive, has been banned in Malaysia. 3/10

Painful mix of under- and- overacting

[Lemming-8 · 1/10 · 21 January 2003]

Oh, the horror, the unspeakable horror of this film. If you can even call it a film. This looks like some first-year art school project, hastily cobbled together.

The "talents" here will subject you to a painful mix of under- and- overacting, and practically all the scenes were terribly contrived and pretentious.

The film in no way reflects Malaysian culture or social conventions - nobody even talks that way over here. I live in Malaysia, BTW.

Spinning Gasing seems tailor-made to pick up an award in the foreign film category of some western film festival. And unfortunately, that ploy seems to have worked. Some reviewers would no doubt describe it as "exotic", but a more accurate word would be "atrocious".

Hair

[kit-6 · 1/10 · 8 January 2003]

To call this film a complete waste of celluloid would be an understatement.

The acting was unconvincing to say the least, especially from actor Craig Fong, who couldn't have acted stiffer. As far as story goes...well...what story?! The "film" is nominally about Harry Lee, a Malaysian of Chinese descent who comes back to his home country after flunking out of every course he took and tries to start a band.

The film has ever cliche you can think of -- sex, tension among band members and a little bit of racial tension thrown in.

The problem is that even with a subject that's been covered adequately by even the most amateurish directors, this movie is all over the place and the whole thing just feels contrived with parts that would make even the most hardened reviewers' hairs stand on end.

Different

[emisaidi · 16 June 2002]

I would say that this movie is different and refreshing from the rest of the local Malaysian releases out there. The storyline and acting could be better but good considering most of the cast are new in the industry. I would be interested in seeing more of teck Tan's work in future.

it was good

[rezahafez · 30 December 2001]

firstly i would like to state that I'm an 19 year old Malaysian who is annoyed at MOST of Malaysian movie, i really am, most of Malaysian movie are typical love story. But lately there are some titles which really attracts me to the cinema one of them is Spinning Gasing.Spinning Gasing is by far the coolest Malaysian movie i ever seen but still lacks of being great.The acting was good, Chantal was natural,Yati was unexpectedly good, harry was okay but his accent was way over acting,Ariff is not bad (he's the comic relief), JJ was either there or not.The plot was good i can see nothing wrong with it.Either than that I salute the director to go quite over the edge a little in this movie,people who seen this movie you may know what i mean.All in all this movie is good but can be better.I give it a 7/10