I saw this film this evening. This is what I thought about it:
The photography of the acrobats is well done and it is interesting to see some of the detail of how it works. The photographs of Cape Town are also good, though they certainly don't give much of the tourist view!
This is a good film about the conflicts involved in growing up poor, getting involved with a bad set, then trying to make a success out of life. I think that it manages to explore the frustrations of teachers or mentors as well - and also the pathos of a once great performer giving his life meaning through the success of the pupils.
The plot works reasonably well, the acting is generally solid with some entertainingly well done bits.
The atmosphere of Cape Town, particularly the gangland argot, with its local flavour almost masking its Yankish imitation is well portrayed - though some of what is said is better in the original than in the subtitles provided! A particularly good line was 'You were right, brother, it wasn't quite so cool up there' but the line was several times more effective in the argot!
It was a little disjointed at times and the motivation of the teacher/mentor figure weren't always clear. I was, however, most disappointed by the score. An anodyne apple loops style score was provided - Cape Town is the home of magnificent jazz and an improvised score made by local musicians would have been the making of this as a really excellent film, despite its flaws.
It is worth watching, as an enjoyable film, but it is particularly fun if you've been to Cape Town or are thinking of going some day.
The photography of the acrobats is well done and it is interesting to see some of the detail of how it works. The photographs of Cape Town are also good, though they certainly don't give much of the tourist view!
This is a good film about the conflicts involved in growing up poor, getting involved with a bad set, then trying to make a success out of life. I think that it manages to explore the frustrations of teachers or mentors as well - and also the pathos of a once great performer giving his life meaning through the success of the pupils.
The plot works reasonably well, the acting is generally solid with some entertainingly well done bits.
The atmosphere of Cape Town, particularly the gangland argot, with its local flavour almost masking its Yankish imitation is well portrayed - though some of what is said is better in the original than in the subtitles provided! A particularly good line was 'You were right, brother, it wasn't quite so cool up there' but the line was several times more effective in the argot!
It was a little disjointed at times and the motivation of the teacher/mentor figure weren't always clear. I was, however, most disappointed by the score. An anodyne apple loops style score was provided - Cape Town is the home of magnificent jazz and an improvised score made by local musicians would have been the making of this as a really excellent film, despite its flaws.
It is worth watching, as an enjoyable film, but it is particularly fun if you've been to Cape Town or are thinking of going some day.
