Heart of the Hunter is a South African movie directed by Mandla Dube starring Bonko Cosmo, Connie Ferguson and Tim Theron.
You know those movies where “the good guy” is in a t-shirt, wielding a gun, chasing a “bad to the bone” villain who sips champagne surrounded by beautiful girls for breakfast?
“Heart of the Hunter” is the latest film offering from Netflix that, like a dusty video cassette pulled from your old VHS collection for your amusement, truly captures the spirit of the 80s action flick, warts and all.
It’s entertaining and somewhat idealistic.
Plot
An ex-hitman becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that could change the course of elections in South Africa.
About “Heart of the Hunter”
This film is directed by Mandla Dube, renowned for the idealistic, political tone he brings to his movies. This time around, he continues this quest for freedom and belief in good and evil as human principles, but the film isn’t a philosophical reflection on these themes.
Absolutely not, because “Heart of the Hunter” is, first and foremost, an action thriller filled with chases, conspiracies, a touch of suspense and a lot of throwback 80s cinema, the kind that didn’t need any justification to set up a good action sequence.
As a viewer of those films (which were perfectly encapsulated by Tarantino), you’re looking for one thing: a smile, a healthy dose of action, to fall in love with the movie, a bit of adventure. They had it all and, at the same time, they had absolutely nothing because they were like a burger with all the nutrients that we enjoyed one after another, no need to justify why we were eating it. Simply, it was delicious, and it was a delightful sin to indulge in.
“Heart of the Hunter” is one of those movies that aims to have it all: action, a social narrative, a thriller, a very bad villain, a handsome lead in a t-shirt showing off his abs in the rain scenes, and a family redemption story to fight for. All together, paced and wrapped up in a good thriller.
You’ll understand that, with so many plots squeezed into barely an hour and a half, things move fast and there’s no time to overthink or justify the action scenes, which are the main event here.
“Heart of the Hunter”: Pros and Cons
The good: it’s another step towards boosting the South African film industry on an international level.
The bad: it’s so clichéd and overdone that it doesn’t leave a lasting impression in the viewer’s cinema repertoire.
Our Review
It’s a movie that aims to have it all and, in the end, settles for entertaining us in the traditional way, but it’s well-executed and boasts a great production and style.
It might not have the most original script of the year, but the movie is entertaining and fun for a while.
Where to Watch “Heart of the Hunter”
Director: Mandla Dube
Mandla Dube is a prominent South African filmmaker, director, and producer. He is known for his powerful storytelling and thought-provoking films that shed light on important social issues. Born in Soweto, Johannesburg, Dube was exposed to poverty and inequality at a young age, which inspired him to use his art as a medium for change.
Dube’s passion for filmmaking started when he was a student at the National School of Arts. He went on to study drama at the University of Witwatersrand before pursuing a career in film. His breakthrough came with his debut feature film “Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony” in 2002. The documentary chronicles the role of music in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and received critical acclaim worldwide.
Since then, Dube has directed and produced numerous award-winning films such as “Township Stories,” “The Sky In Her Eyes,” and “Nelson Mandela: The Myth & Me.” His work often centers around themes of social justice, human rights, and the struggle for freedom, drawing inspiration from his own experiences growing up in post-apartheid South Africa.
Dube’s talent and dedication to his craft have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous accolades including three SAFTA (South African Film & Television Awards) nominations for Best Director. He also serves as an ambassador for the Encounters Documentary Film Festival, promoting local talent and raising awareness about social issues through film.
