Wah-Wah (2006)

Simply Perfect

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The acting in this movie is really good.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Having never heard of these film I was surprised how good it was. Casting was wonderful and the tone, dialogue and costumes very authentic.Enjoyable. Have recommended it to friends and would easily watch it again.Perhaps it would appeal mostly to people who were the same age at that time, which I am. It was quite nostalgic.Gabriel Byrnes and Nicholas Hoult were perfectly cast.

Gifted actor Richard E. Grant makes his writing and directing debut with this highly entertaining film about the last days of British colonial protectorate of Swaziland, East-South Africa, drawing from his memoirs as a child growing up in Swaziland the time when the Kingdom of Swaziland was given its independence from British rule. The autobiographical nature of the film aids in Grant's sensitive approach to creating this drama tinged with comedy and the result if a film that is one of the strongest depictions of the end of British colonialism in the world. Supported by a sterling cast Grant makes a strong impression with this delightful outing.Harry Compton (Gabriel Byrne) is the Minister of Education for Swaziland, respected by both the natives and the snobbish, insular, stuffy colonialists who live in the isolation of the colony's chief city. Harry is married to Lauren (Miranda Richardson) whose disgust with her husband's home habits and the stifling life of the colonialists is placated by adultery: her latest affair is with John Traherne (Ian Roberts) whose wife Gwen (Julie Walters) is a close friend of the family. Their son Ralph (played as a young boy by Zachary Fox and as an older lad by Nicholas Hoult) discovers his mother's adultery and the family comes to a disastrous crumble as Lauren leaves Harry and Ralph to escape her perceived prison. Harry descends into alcoholism and Ralph is sent away to boarding school, only to return a few years later to find that Harry has married a tacky but truthful American Ruby (Emily Watson) whose presence is the center of disgust from the colonials lead by their Lady Hardwick (Celia Imre) and who mimics the colonial snobbery by terming their insular and foolish language as 'wah-wah'.Gradually Ruby wins the confidence and respect of Ralph and as the time approaches for the British to hand over the independence to the natives, Princess Margaret is scheduled for an appearance and the colonials led by Lady Hardwick plan a performance of 'Camelot' for the occasion. Ralph discovers he can both sing and act and wins a role in the play, finding the beginning of his true self at last. How the production and the Princess' visit come off and how the intricacies of the Compton family are resolved serve as the finale of the film.There are numerous subplots in the film and not all of them are fully realized or even necessary, but chalk that up to the 'first film' experience of Grant. Grant does demonstrate a sturdy hand in directing a cast of superb actors, both British and African including the excellent John Matshikiza whose Dr. Zim Mzimba represents one of the only grounded minds in the film. The beauty of Swaziland is captured by the lush photography by Pierre Aïm and a thoroughly charming musical score by Patrick Doyle. Not only is the story entertaining and well told, it also gives us insights into the machinations of the last of the British Empire era. Recommended viewing. Grady Harp

I grew up in Swaziland five years after the period in which this film was set. Although I was a white boy growing up in Africa, and went to the same school as Richard E Grant, my experience was nothing at all like this film. Clearly, independence from Great Britain had a hugely positive impact on the country. The only affecting scenes are those showing the beautiful landscape and the climactic independence celebrations. And I got a small thrill out of recognising locations from my youth: the (presumably recreated) Cinelux cinema and the hot pool (commonly known as the cuddle puddle). All the characters in this film are loathsome. Are we really supposed to care about these pith-helmeted dinosaurs of the colonial period? Luvvies prancing around under the African sun? This is how Richard E Grant decides to pay tribute to the country he supposedly loves? This really is, as one of the characters remarks, all too hoity-toity and a load of old Wah- Wah.

Like all films, if there is a good script and storyline, then the film will work. This film certainly had it all and the cast is outstanding. Just when it seems to be settling down in a particular direction, it changes tack but doesn't loose it's grip on the audience attention. Gabriel Byrne, being the lead role, gave an outstanding performance and did not pull any punches in the many demanding sequences in the film. Nicholas Hoult certainly showed that he can do serious acting and delivered everything that was asked of him. In fact, he excelled himself and, given the chance, he can become a really polished performer, not that he needs much more polish. Julie Walters is another of my personal favourites and, once again, she came up with the goods. This film is in my "Highly recommended" category and will, I think, please nearly everyone. There is fun, sadness and is thought provoking, touching on every single emotion anyone can react to.