Meanwhile, the Padmos' son Heru (Onky Alexander) is with Ipah (Nurul Arifin), while the family's driver Martubi (Alex Komang) is with Retno's maid Juminten (Nani Vidia).

This situation is exacerbated by the Padmos' daughter Riri (Ayu Azhari) dating Retno's son Arsal (Iwen Darmanyah).

Pacar Ketinggalan Kereta was directed by Teguh Karya, a Chinese-Indonesian director who had made numerous critically acclaimed films, including November 1828 (1978) and Ibunda (Mother; 1986).

[7] The Indonesian writer Putu Wijaya, reviewing in Tempo magazine, wrote that the film began quickly and moved fast enough to confuse viewers, but was concluded well.

[7] This success was protested by Tempo writers Budiono Darsono and Putu Setia, who found Pacar Ketinggalan Kereta one of Karya's weaker films and commented that it seemed to be intended to win as many Citra Awards as possible.