The year 1965 is running not very smoothly in Jakarta, Indonesia. Against the background of tension and struggle for power between the two powerful forces of communist PKI and the islamic generals, a story of love, intrigue, treason and loyalty takes place. Billy the Dwarf, little body but great soul, personifies the last one, finishing by refusing the world of disloyalty in which he's forced to live. Sukarno the then Indonesian president, champion of non-alignment, tries to achieve the impossible: to combine fire and water, Islam and communism. The former, backed by CIA finishes to win over the latter backed by China and a mass slaughter of communists takes place then. The Australian male journalist and the British (secret agent too?) diplomat woman live an agitated romance against the above mentioned background in which they also participate. The movie is only slightly focused on the appalling state of misery endured by Indonesian people in the middle of this struggle for power. Too much slightly perhaps and this is its weakest point. Anyway the story achieves its aim and is strong enough to secure the spectator's attention till the end. One last word for Sigourney Weaver's performance as a beautiful, sensual, intelligent and self-confident woman as always.
Review of The Year of Living Dangerously
