
Genre: Comedy, romance
The newly released film, Lobola Man, typifies the bright future on the horizon for SA films and marks what is hopefully the end of local productions focused on apartheid, crime, and violence.
Ace Ngubeni (Lawrence Maleka) makes money as a lobola negotiator who pretends to be a family member for anyone in need of assistance with the lobola negotiations. Things get complicated when he falls for a client’s fiancée.
Maleka is a pleasure to watch. His line delivery is brilliant and his facial expressions convey the degree to which he is in tune with the character.
His previous role as Zolani on the popular TV show, The River, proved that Maleka had incredible range as an actor and his switch from drama to comedy for this role is well done.
He has great chemistry with all his co-stars, especially the brotherly friendship his character has with Sandile Mahlangu’s character, Duke.
Mahlangu is another SA actor who shines in this film.
He plays a socially awkward nerd, looking to use the lobola man’s services for his upcoming negotiations.
TikTok comedy sensation Ofentse “Primo” Baloyi plays a minor supporting role and the few moments he has on screen are enough to show that he has an amazing talent for making audiences laugh, which heralds a potentially promising career on the silver screen.
Parts of the story will require a pinch of salt because it does seem unrealistic and there are quite a few plot holes that are never addressed.
It is certainly not the most original movie, as much of the story is similar to The Wedding Ringer (2015), but the writers and directors put a unique SA twist on the story that made it entertaining to watch, even if you had seen similar stories.
It was hilarious, relatable, and a fun movie watching experience, which is a welcome break from the constant releases based on apartheid, crime and violence, that most SA Netflix movies embody.
For a good laugh, and appreciation for good SA storytelling, Lobola Man is certainly worth the watch.
Lobola Man is available for streaming on Netflix.