Ranti (Acha Septriasa) and Galih (Irwansyah) are childhood friends whose destitute, isolated villages are separated by a river.

A local legend states that the river arose when Joko Angin-Angin fell in love with the Moon Goddess and, when they were unable to be together, stomped his feet and cracked the Earth.

The villagers attempt to stop him from working on the schoolhouse as a measure to prevent disaster, first by knocking over the frame he has built then by killing Galih's horse and destroying his cart.

He tells her to connect the electrical cord from the water wheel to the schoolhouse and, when she does so, the lightbulb flashes on and gives pause to the would-be attackers.

[A] Irwansyah's then-girlfriend and later wife Zaskia Sungkar was onset at times, such as during a kissing scene mandated by the script.

[3] Love Story received wide release on 27 January 2011,[4] with Septriasa and Irwansyah also providing vocals for a soundtrack album.