Watch Banting

Banting is a 2014 Malaysian drama film directed by Mamat Khalid. The movie stars Adlina Adil, Mastura Ahmad, and Ashley Chan in lead roles. The movie revolves around three friends, named Mala, Roni, and Norma, who operate a high-stakes illegal gambling den in their small town of Banting. The movie portrays their lives and the relationships they form with each other as they navigate through the criminal underworld.

The movie opens with an establishing shot of the town of Banting, a small locality that seems largely disconnected from the rest of civilization. We are then introduced to our main protagonist, Mala, who is a mother of two and responsible for gambling's operation in the town. She is fiercely protective of her business and will do anything to make sure it thrives, even if it means taking lives. Her best friend and confidante is Roni, who is equally ruthless when it comes to their illegal activities. Norma, the third member of this tight-knit trio, is the accountant for the business and the only one of the three who's reluctant to continue their criminal activities.

Throughout the movie, we delve deeper into each of these characters' lives and see how their past traumas and experiences have shaped them into who they are today. For instance, Mala is revealed to have lost her parents at a young age and was forced to fend for herself early on in life. Roni is a transwoman who's always felt like an outcast in her community, and Norma is a former drug addict trying to make amends for her past mistakes.

As the movie progresses, tensions start to rise between the three friends when Norma suggests that they should quit gambling and start a legitimate business. Mala and Roni, who've grown accustomed to their lives of crime, scoff at the idea and refuse to entertain it. This disagreement is further compounded when they're approached by a new player in town, a young upstart who wants to challenge them in their own game. This new rival threatens to take away their livelihood, and the three friends must decide whether to back down or fight to retain their empire.

One of the most significant strengths of Banting is its ability to portray the complexities of human relationships. The movie is not just about illegal gambling, but also about friendship, loyalty, and the bonds that hold us together. The dynamics between the three main characters are nuanced and multi-layered, and we see how their feelings for each other change and evolve over the course of the movie.

Another notable aspect of the movie is its exploration of the underbelly of Malaysian society. Banting is a town that's often overlooked and forgotten by the rest of the country, and the movie highlights the struggles that people in such communities face. It sheds light on the appeal of illegal gambling and the difficult choices that people have to make when living in such circumstances.

Overall, Banting is a thought-provoking movie that highlights the complexities of human relationships and the challenges faced by those living on the fringes of society. With strong performances from its cast and excellent direction from Mamat Khalid, this movie is well worth watching.

Banting is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.