Rent Tsotsi (2005)

life on the edge - Tsotsi review by CP Customer

After waiting a few months, I was not disappointed. The tale of South African Ghetto life was grim but realistic, and the emotional rollercoaster of the principal character was well acted. Rent it now!

Said It All With His Face - Tsotsi review by griggs

Give a violent man a baby and wait for his conscience to clock in — it's one of the oldest tricks in the book, and somehow Tsotsi still pulls it off.

Chweneyagae is doing the heavy work here. He starts out coldly frightening, all clenched jaw and locked-off stare, then lets the humanity leak through so slowly you barely notice it happening. Terry Pheto matches him as Miriam — warm, but never a saint about it, and her wariness keeps things from turning soft too early.

I could see most of the redemption coming a mile off. The film ticks its redemption boxes almost audibly, helped by a score that occasionally elbows you towards the required emotion. The childhood flashbacks weren't needed either; Chweneyagae had already said it all with his face.

The film's township setting gives the whole thing some backbone, and at ninety-odd minutes it doesn't hang about. Predictable and a touch sentimental, but Chweneyagae makes a redemption arc I could see coming from miles away feel worth following.

2 days In The Valley - Tsotsi review by CP Customer

It was during the hieght of Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' eera that '2 Days In The Valley' was released, and no doubt because of it.

The story consists of a number of characters whos lives intertwine by means of fate and coincidence and it does so with a splash of dark comedy in places, coupled with a personally emotional stuggle each character is working through.

The acting is superb by all. Charlize Theron (Monster) as James Spader's (Sex Lies And Video Tape)love interest, as deceitful and cunning as himself, both out to swindle Teri Hatcher (Superman series) out of her inheritance, despite the three initially being in on it. The dirty dealings thicken as Dosmo, played by Danny Aiello (Léon) is caught in the cross-hairs. There are also delightfully touching performances from characters such as Glenne Headley (Dick Tracy) who plays a shy assistant who's confidence has been cringingly dented by her boss Greg Crutwell (George of the Jungle) a successful and self loathing entrepreneur.

I could go on, with further sterling performances by the likes of Jeff Daniels (Dumb & Dumber) as the bitter cop, coupled with Eric Stoltz, (Fly 2) the keen new detective dreaming of furthering his career. The movie has a cache of great performances by all, and the direction by John Herzfeld (Don King: Only in America) mainly known for his TV work creates a stylish, condenced story that never teeters out.

A recommended watch by those who apreciate a layered story, slicky executed and doesnt over complicate itself.