A beautifully shot movie set during the last days of British governance over Swaziland. This biographical piece relates the tumultuous childhood of the young Richard E. Grant (called Ralph Compton in the movie). The acting from all concerned is superb, though I would single out a particularly convincing Gabriel Byrne as both loving father and husband when sober and violent alcoholic when drunk. Miranda Richardson plays the selfish, self-centered, bored adulteress of a mother who leaves the conjugal home to be with her lover and Emily Watson is the vibrant and straight-talking new wife who wins the heart of young Ralph with her refreshing no-nonsense approach to the stifling colonial attitude permeating the thoroughly British community in Swaziland. The hypocrisy and snobbery of some of the ex-pats is well observed, as is their carefree and privileged lifestyle.
A wonderful psychological insight into the life of a young man whose life is turned upside down by a mother's selfish actions.
An ambitious debut for Richard E Grant as director but one I think he can be very proud of. Wah - Wah is funny, poignant, very moving and well worth viewing.
A wonderful psychological insight into the life of a young man whose life is turned upside down by a mother's selfish actions.
An ambitious debut for Richard E Grant as director but one I think he can be very proud of. Wah - Wah is funny, poignant, very moving and well worth viewing.