IT is always a treat to watch Shaheizy Sam on the screen. He is perhaps Malaysia’s most versatile actor today — constantly showing that he can take on funny, ruthless or tragic characters with gusto.
Fans loved him as a ruthless gangster in Evolusi KL Drift 2, a tragic figure awaiting execution in 8 Jam, a psychotic man in SAM, and a kind-hearted former Mat Rempit who climbs the social ladder awkwardly in the Adnan Sempit film series.
Fresh from his zany adventures around Bangkok in Adnan Sempit Sawadikap, Shaheizy makes his debut as a mamak who’s a restaurant heir but has dreams of making it big as a cupcake specialist.
He plays Muhammad Jamaluddin, or MJ, the devoted younger son of widower Haji Muhammad (Veerasingam) who is handpicked by his father to inherit his bustling corner-shop cafe. The older Muhammad has no time for his son’s “nonsense” dream of cupcake-making success and even dismisses MJ’s suggestion that cupcakes be included in the restaurant’s menu.
Meanwhile, Muhammad’s elder son Ali Deen (Azad) is deemed a “failure” in his eyes because he has chosen the career of a hip-hop singer, songwriter and composer after studying in the United States. Nevertheless, Ali gives his younger brother full support in his quest to excel in cupcake-making, as he believes that one should “follow his heart”.
MJ’s best friend who also shares his love of cupcakes is Teh (Natasha), the owner of a bakery in his neighbourhood. She encourages him to pursue his dream after noticing her customers flock to enjoy MJ’s creations at his father’s restaurant after midnight.
Teh also encourages MJ to join a cupcake-making contest, organised by her one-time business partner-turned-rival Datin Nora (Maria).
Nora, who is prejudiced against mamak restaurant employees joining the contest, is biased towards the spoilt and rich reigning champion, Raja Chal (Faizal). She also wants her daughter Juliana (Siti Saleha) to get close to the pompous bachelor. It was Juliana who has a hand in getting MJ to enter the competition — when she learns that he is the man behind Teh’s best cupcakes.
Love soon blossoms between Juliana and MJ, much to Nora and Chal’s annoyance. Meanwhile, Muhammad learns of his son’s entry into the contest and is furious.
Shaheizy is in his element as MJ, making sure he nails the mannerisms and Northern Malay dialect of a mamak. His sweet, endearing personality coupled with his devotion to his father’s business makes fans root for him to achieve his dreams.
His dancing around while making teh tarik is beautifully executed (with a little help with CGI).
Azad is spot-on as Ali, who represents the Americanised mamak obsessed with hip-hop music a la Poetic Ammo. He actually sings and dances, and brings life to every scene he is in. Siti Saleha’s Juliana is the story’s moral compass, in that she is sensible, mature, compassionate and understanding. While she falls for MJ, she does not lean on him for affection, and instead pushes him to achieve his dreams and comforts him when he is down. And unlike typical female characters in television dramas, she does not feel jilted when her man is “set up” with another woman by the bad guy.
Natasha’s Teh does her job as MJ’s fairy godmother. She coaches him ensuring strict discipline, even forcing him to do sit-ups every time he makes a wrong move in the kitchen. In fact, she and Juliana are two of the strongest characters in the movie. Maria, as usual, adds fun and glamour as Nora, and while her character is two-dimensional, viewers learn that she genuinely loves Juliana.
The same can be said about Veerasingam’s “good parent” Muhammad, who ultimately stands on MJ’s side.
Faizal, who makes his movie debut here, is a spot-on madcap when it comes to playing bad boy Chal. In every scene, Chal is obnoxious in a hilarious way, and viewers boo him whenever he talks.
Shaheizy’s real-life mother Khaty does a star turn as MJ’s late mother who visits him in his dreams to encourage him. Veteran comedian Acappan is superb as the story’s unsung hero — MJ’s restaurant’s chief waiter who helps Juliana and Teh thwart Chal’s wicked plan.
Director Woo proves a great storyteller in that he makes every scene aesthetically beautiful, right down to the venue’s spick-and-span appearances. He allows much room for the main characters to grow, while giving the supporting characters interesting developments so that they are more than eye candy.
One thing that leaves a bad aftertaste is the scene with the CGI cockroaches, planted by the villain in MJ’s restaurant. The creepy crawlies just don’t look real.
Mamak Cupcake is a feel-good movie, and a great way to celebrate Merdeka by extolling the Malaysia Boleh and 1Malaysia spirit of MJ.
NOW SHOWING
Mamak Cupcake
Directed by Woo Ming Jin
Starring Shaheizy Sam, Siti Saleha Baharom, Faizal Ismail, Maria Farida, Azad Jazmin, Natasha Hudson, Acappan, Veerasingam, Adibah Noor, Datuk Hasbullah Awang, AG
Duration 95 minutes
Rating 13