Tsotsi Reviews

Glad I Saw this....

Be absorbed into a cruel and relentless world of random violence and crime due to poverty and abandonment. Be taken a journey with the main character, played brilliantly by Presley Chweneyagae, as he reaches a point in his life where he is spiralling downwards into lonliness, anger and alienation. But for a baby (without giving anything away!), who knows what whether he would have wanted the lower the shield he puts up in his harsh reality. This captivating thriller is being compared to City of God - rightly so, but I think it stands out on its own. You will feel every emotion as you watch Tsotsi (meaning 'thug') through 6 days of his life in Johannesburg and how he reluctantly lets go of his demons to become a new person. The suspense is gripping and you just want to know what is going to happen next. Great acting, great story. The film addresses many important issues such as friendship, parenting, responsibility, gaps in society,forgiveness, homelessness and survival but in a very subtle way -carefully sidestepping sentiment and deveoping into something more complex and surprising. It reached every part of me with it's raw energy. It also has an infectious soundtrack. Despite it's title, it's not a violent film. On the contrary - Everyone will enjoy this movie as it is thoroughly uplifting for the spirit. Old, young, male, female, fans of foreign movies or not - everyone should see this film.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Gripping throughout

We added Tsotsi based on some interesting and generally positive reviews we had read and we must agree with much that was said. Tsotsi follows an aggressive gang affiliated black man from the slums of South Africa, this movie is intelligently written, insightful and gripping throughout as you learn about Tsotsi’s sad childhood and life on the streets. Tsosti offers a fascinating insight into the two classes of lifestyle in South Africa as well as a moving and emotional drama, the acting is strong and the plot littered with talking points. We would strongly recommend this movie, there are scenes of violence and one traumatic scene involving a dog to consider before renting but after watching we think you will agree that all is well within the context of the film. I should also mention that this is a subtitled film, the subtitles are clear and well timed. 4 Stars.

Tsotsi flies high.

A great performance from the lead role, this is a tale of morality within the thankless environment of poverty and desperation. Set in a Johannesberg township it gripps the viewer from the start because of the ethical dilhemma the nasty thug faces when confronted with his past. A brilliantly directed film with fine acting helps to convince that this story is real.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A soul-building journey

Tsotsi, our anti-hero, starts the film as a thug with a mere thread of a soul. His face is expressionless and his eyes vacant - brought to life only when teased about his upbringing. Put comparisons to 'City of God' aside as the focus is quite different. We watch Tsotsi rebuild his humanity as a result of 'acquiring' a baby in a rage-induced heist. Tsotsi's unplanned journey to rediscover himself follows the socially-inept processes he's created for himself in order to be a survivor of the township, with results that are only semi-predictable. The film takes the viewer on an uncomfortable, but tightly-scripted journey; a journey worth taking.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Best film I've seen all year

This won the best Oscar for a film in a language other than English this year. I'm not surprised. This is brilliantly acted, a quite breathtakingly beautiful story (don't let the initial violent scenes put you off!), and had me in tears - not because of the ending, but because of the sheer beauty of this amazing story. Oh, and I'm a 35-year old bloke ;-) I can't recommend this film more highly. Top script, top acting, excellent editing and storytelling... it really should have been nominated for far more major categories.... the score alone is enough to get you weeping like the little baby in the film. Absolutely glorious.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Lost innocence

A story of a stolen child and how poverty and AIDS is stealing the childhood of so many in South Africa. Very moving. Well worth watching.

Excellent

Fantastic film

Original storyline.

Well acted and a great portrayal of the redemption of a hardened criminal.

Excellent gripping drama,... really a must see

Compelling story and superbly acted. Starts off as a cold township gang film but develops into a strong and rich drama when we get to know some of the history behind the character.... I was intrigued till the very end.

well done

Being an ex-pat I found this to be a slightly limited, yet rather raw peek into a very real side of a crippling reality that South Africa is dealing with. Elements of the film struck me as idealistic, probably because they occur in only in a very small minority of cases and because they are what we wish may happen leaving ‘us’ not as deeply affected by such events… if only...

This film is shown to you from a perspective looking across opposing economic standings and not the various races that make up the nation. I do absolutely appreciate the message the team who put this together are trying to get across here, stringing together elements of reality, tragedy, desperation, compassion and hope.

This film will most likely serve as a reminder to some or for others a look at the inside track of ‘things we only read of in the papers’ – here’s more of the backdrop.

The soundtrack is beautiful and compliments the emotionally compelling attraction of the film leaving one feeling touched, moved and more aware.

Well recommended.

Excellent, very touching

Wonderful African film about a young criminal who changes his ways once he has to look after a helpless baby