Cuci

Hans Isaac’s feature directorial debut Cuci sees him recruiting four of his close friends to play, of all things, window cleaners. That’s right, Cuci is a Malay film about four adopted orphans - CTan (AC Mizal), Fairil (Afdlin Shauki), Jojo (Awie) and Khai (Hans Isaac) who grow up to become window cleaners. Hoping to making it big, the band of brothers leave the comforts of their kampung for the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur.

Despite forming and running their own cleaning company Cuci-Cuci Services, Fairil is tired of leading a mediocre life and financially scraping the barrel. He convinces his brothers to compete in the Window Washing Olympics. Winning the Olympics means scoring a long-term contract to clean KLCC’s windows.

Of course, here’s where the obligatory love story comes in. Bright-eyed and innocent Khai falls in love with CJ (Erra Fazira), a high-powered businesswoman who happens to be organising the competition. Cue the smug and overprivileged Wira, the current KLCC contract holder who’s also got his eye on CJ and a repeat win for the upcoming Olympics.

Basically a “triumph of the underdog” story, the film’s charm lies in its depiction of ordinary Malaysians who just want to be successful in life. The cast of  brothers have terrific on-screen chemistry with AC Mizal and Afdlin Shauki lending their precise comedic timing to a well-written script. There are plenty of notable cameos especially by Ida Nerina, Elaine Daly, Harith Iskander, Syanie and even AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandez.

Isaac definitely steps up the cinematography for what is typically seen on Malaysian screens, especially for a commercial comedic film. With his fair share of battles both on and off screen; Cuci proves that Isaac can handle it. Cuci is good clean fun and Isaac can only improve with future projects.

Cast Afdlin Shauki, Hans Isaac, Erra Fazira, AC Mizal, Awie Director Hans Isaac Runtime 101 mins Opens 24 January
 

Text Didi Ramlan