A Heartwarming Tale of Love in All Its Forms: A Review of 'First, Second & Third Love' (2022)

First, Second, and Third Love Film Poster

Hello, everyone. Welcome to my first-ever film review article section. I will begin my first piece on writing for my film review section by talking about a film starring my favourite young and talented Indonesian actor, Angga Yunanda, that had its Indonesian premiere in early 2022 and was made available for paid streaming service on Netflix on March 17, 2022.

"First, Second & Third Love" is an Indonesian film that was released at the Jogja-Netpack Asian Film Festival on December 4, 2021. The movie is directed by Chand Parwez Servia and Gina S. Noer. Top actors and actresses such as Angga Yunanda, Putri Marino, Slamet Rahardjo and Ira Wibowo also star in this film. Currently, the film "First, Second and Third Love" can be enjoyed through the Netflix streaming service under the title First, Second and Third Love.

When I first saw the trailer of the film, I could sense that this film was going to be on my list of one of those films I should recommend to everyone because of the message it has and how it can evoke our conscience. This film tells the story of Raja (Angga Yunanda), who is obliged to take care of his elderly father because his two older siblings have married and left home. Dewa (Slamet Rahardjo), Raja's father, has something in common with Raja, both of whom are stubborn; thus, the two of them often argue and constantly quarrel.

First, Second, and Third Love Film Poster

The storyline starts when Dewa meets Linda (Ira Wibowo), an instructor of a dance class. Dewa demonstrates his interest in Linda by enrolling in a dancing class there since he is fascinated and drawn to her. Along with Dewa finding his soul mate, Raja also develops a crush on Asia (Putri Marino), Linda's daughter, whom he meets while going to his father's dance lesson.

Raja was pleased that his father had found love, but Asia was unclear about the connection between Raja's father and his mother. Raja made an effort to persuade Asia of their parents' situation. Raja reluctantly attempted to persuade Asia but instead fell in love with her. Apart from that, it is difficult to merge two families into one. Especially, each of Dewa and Linda's households is dealing with its own issues, with money being the most pressing one. 

In the midst of conflicts, Raja and Asia must set aside their sentiments and accept to become step-siblings. As they spend time together at home, the seeds of love that were planted from the beginning flourish. They couldn't help themselves one day, despite their restraint. Linda witnessed them kissing in the living room.

Furthermore, the conflict is getting exacerbated when Dewa, like his mother, develops dementia. As a man, he must face the scenario in which he becomes exceptionally weak and overwhelms a significant number of people. This is where the film begins to significantly take the theme of family love and relate it to me on a different level. The frustration, grief, and melancholy they feel (Dewa's family) came rushing to me a million times as someone who once had a family member with the same disease, dementia.

This film is enjoyable to watch on a leisurely basis. Nevertheless, this movie raises certain questions. The COVID-19 pandemic is the backdrop for this movie, thus to make the tale feel less dense, a large portion of the running time is devoted to addressing health protocols. Furthermore, the picture has a number of unresolved tensions. Even before the previous problem is entirely resolved, the scenario presents a new one.

Despite a few minor flaws, this film is perfect to watch with family. This film presents the meaning of family and leaves a deep message for the audience, particularly when it comes to taking care of the family. First, Second & Third Love teaches us about the importance of understanding and spending a lot of time with parents who are getting older. Taking care of your parents is not only about fulfilling your basic needs but also other needs such as love, attention, play, and other little things. Moreover, this film offers a powerful story of resilience, love, and the power of family and also features strong performances from the actors, and stunning visuals and cinematography. Kudos to all of the cast members who put their hearts and souls into this film.

3.6/5