What's Up with Cinta? (2002)

What’s Up with Cinta? feels special because it captures first love with the kind of sincerity that doesn’t need grand gestures to hit hard—just a glance held a second too long, a poem that says what pride won’t, and the quiet terror of changing in front of the people who think they already know you. Set against the hum of high school popularity and tight-knit friendships, it’s a romance that’s as much about loyalty and growing pains as it is about chemistry, and Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputra make that push-pull connection feel lived-in rather than manufactured. The vibe is tender, funny in the way friends can be, and unexpectedly bruising when real life presses in, all without turning melodramatic. If you like character-driven love stories that linger on mood and meaning—and you don’t mind a slower, more observant pace—this is the kind of film that earns its classic status one honest moment at a time.

What’s Up with Cinta? is clearly aiming to be a sincere, youthful romance about first love clashing with popularity, friendship politics, and the kind of class divide teens feel but can’t articulate yet. If you’re expecting sharp realism or subtle character work, be warned: it leans into melodrama, familiar “cool girl meets brooding outsider” beats, and emotional swings that can feel heightened rather than earned. The pacing is also very 2000s teen-drama—lots of lingering moments and earnest dialogue—so if you prefer tighter, more modern storytelling, it may test your patience. That said, the central chemistry is strong and the film has an unmistakable time-capsule charm, making it best for viewers who enjoy romantic angst and nostalgia more than nuance.