Wah-Wah (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
'Wah-Wah', a drama written & directed by Richard E. Grant, won't make you wah-wah. This is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale, told through the eyes of 14 yr. old, Ralph Compton (Nicholas Hoult). Set during the tail end of the British Empire in Swaziland, Africa, the story focuses on his dysfunctional family whose many problems mirrors the end of Brit rule. Because the film is based on the director's life, you'll have to accept most of it as true. 'Wah-Wah' offers stellar acting, several comedic situations, & traumatic family conflict(s), but it never sustains enough energy to make us care one way or another about it by the end.
1969: We meet Ralph at age 12 (but the story covers him til age 14). Independence of Swaziland from Great Britain seemed to be imminent. Coinciding with this political backdrop, we witness Ralph's adolescent struggles. For one, the split from England was causing an upheaval among 'English' families living in Southern Africa. Ralph's enigmatic mother (Miranda Richardson) has left his alcoholic father, Harry (Gabriel Byrne), to be with a familiar lover. Ralph has a love/hate relationship with both. Because mom has left, Harry thrusts Ralph into boarding school. 2 yrs. later, he returns home to find that dad has married an energetic American, Ruby (Brit-born Emily Watson). It takes time, but he's able to establish a warm 'friendship' with Ruby while dad goes off drinking.
In the meanwhile, Ralph develops an infatuation with a local girl, Monica (Olivia Grant). Dad's personality is floundering between respected man of the community ... and cruel, volatile, drunk tyrant by night. Ralph enters a local production of Camelot. You see, as a release, Ralph loves to sing and act. But because of dad's drinking, Ruby leaves. Then, Ralph's mom unexpectedly returns! All I could think at this point was 'Poor Ralph'. As you can see, a lot goes on in this plot. But it's too much, really. No one subplot is given the appropriate amount of attention that's needed.
So, you see how it goes. This small, intelligent dramedy is about these people who are struggling with mini-crises. I liked the human nature in this film. Gabriel Byrne is decent as the drunk. Miranda Richardson conveys an icy demeanor, quite well. Emily Watson is the only bright light. But Nicholas Hoult (age 14) is the glaring weakness here. His performance is just too mechanical; too unrefined. I enjoyed the African scenery as a backdrop here. There are sporadic moments in 'Wah-Wah' that are quite affecting, even touching. But the pacing of the film suffers, a lot. After a strong, engaging 1st hour, the characters begin to ramble frenetically. The film drizzles away & doesn't say much by the end. It's a barely-memorable melodrama that offers flashes of brilliance, that's all.
1969: We meet Ralph at age 12 (but the story covers him til age 14). Independence of Swaziland from Great Britain seemed to be imminent. Coinciding with this political backdrop, we witness Ralph's adolescent struggles. For one, the split from England was causing an upheaval among 'English' families living in Southern Africa. Ralph's enigmatic mother (Miranda Richardson) has left his alcoholic father, Harry (Gabriel Byrne), to be with a familiar lover. Ralph has a love/hate relationship with both. Because mom has left, Harry thrusts Ralph into boarding school. 2 yrs. later, he returns home to find that dad has married an energetic American, Ruby (Brit-born Emily Watson). It takes time, but he's able to establish a warm 'friendship' with Ruby while dad goes off drinking.
In the meanwhile, Ralph develops an infatuation with a local girl, Monica (Olivia Grant). Dad's personality is floundering between respected man of the community ... and cruel, volatile, drunk tyrant by night. Ralph enters a local production of Camelot. You see, as a release, Ralph loves to sing and act. But because of dad's drinking, Ruby leaves. Then, Ralph's mom unexpectedly returns! All I could think at this point was 'Poor Ralph'. As you can see, a lot goes on in this plot. But it's too much, really. No one subplot is given the appropriate amount of attention that's needed.
So, you see how it goes. This small, intelligent dramedy is about these people who are struggling with mini-crises. I liked the human nature in this film. Gabriel Byrne is decent as the drunk. Miranda Richardson conveys an icy demeanor, quite well. Emily Watson is the only bright light. But Nicholas Hoult (age 14) is the glaring weakness here. His performance is just too mechanical; too unrefined. I enjoyed the African scenery as a backdrop here. There are sporadic moments in 'Wah-Wah' that are quite affecting, even touching. But the pacing of the film suffers, a lot. After a strong, engaging 1st hour, the characters begin to ramble frenetically. The film drizzles away & doesn't say much by the end. It's a barely-memorable melodrama that offers flashes of brilliance, that's all.