Four Romcoms in three days, my mind is now prepared for anything. 

Kill Me If You Dare, The Heartbreak Agency, and Players hit Netflix this week. Now, a film from South Africa, A Soweto Love Story, has been premiered on the platform.

It is charming, heartfelt, and feel-good, according to the official description.

Moreover, the movie is based on a Nigerian movie called A Naija Christmas, also available on Netflix.

Here is my review where I discuss its merits and demerits. 

A Soweto Love Story Synopsis

When a mother, who desperately wants her sons to get married, promises her house to the one who marries first, a race ensues between brothers to get hitched.

Image Credits: Netflix

Directed by Rolie Nikiwe, the movie features Lunga Shabalala (Sandile), Duduzile Ngcobo (Bongekile), Zenzelisphesihle Sparky Xulu (Menzi), Ray Neo Buso (Sky), Motsoaledi Setumo (Sente), Mamodibe Ramodibe (Dina), and others.

A Soweto Love Story: Positives

We talk about the conceptual base being an important factor for any creative work. 

A Soweto Love Story’s reliance on the idea is only limited to attracting audiences for some amusement. 

With her three sons hell-bent on not getting married for various reasons, a mother announces her house as the prize for the son who marries first before the end of the year.

It triggers a race to the altar as the three men quickly run to find suitable partners. 

Image Credits: Netflix

This isn’t an outline of a film you watch for brilliant storytelling. It is one you stream for pastime entertainment. 

Hence, judging A Soweto Love Story in this context is the right way. The plot is simple, feel-good, and easy-going. 

There are no embellishments of depth and intricacy. Thanks to multiple primary characters, the movie has many sub-branches, which increases its chances of delivering a suitable experience.

Furthermore, a happening screenplay holds A Soweto Love Story to a great extent. Family audiences will find much more allure in the movie than any other section. 

Also, the narrative’s brisk pace keeps extreme emptiness away. On the laughter front, A Soweto Love Story does a decent job of making you chuckle. 

Romance is pretty well integrated within the tale. However, I do feel the execution needed more finesse.

How are the Performances?

Everybody has done a good job, starting with Lunga Shabalala, who plays Sandile in A Soweto Love Story. He gets the major screen time and doesn’t fail to make the most of it.

Zenzelisphesihle Sparky Xulu keeps his end of the bait securely. He plays the role of an introverted individual and aces it quite well.

Motsoaledi Setumo and Mamodibe Ramodibe are also notable performers in the film. Both excel in their respective parts.

A Soweto Love Story: Downsides

The movie largely relies on situational comedy, with one-liners and jokes seemingly missing. It fails to entertain the audience coherently by giving them moments to laugh unapologetically.

Additionally, the plotline is predictable from the very start. In fact, the basic concept gives away a lot and you are not surprised when your predictions come true all along.

Image Credits: Netflix

The idea in itself is quite archaic and since it is a spiritual remake of a three-year-old film, you can sense some gaps in the presentation.

I just wish A Soweto Love Story put in more conviction in drafting the comedy scenes. That would have given the viewers something to take back home.

Stream or Skip?

You can very well let this one pass if you have better options for a rom-com. Otherwise, A Soweto Love Story might have an outside chance.

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