“Lobola Man” is a South African movie directed by Thabang Moleya starring Lawrence Maleka and Kwanele Mthethwa.
This Friday, July 12th, Netflix takes us on a hilarious journey of romance, confusion, hustles, and beautiful women with the South African movie “Lobola Man”. It’s a lively rom-com that, while not groundbreaking, sure knows how to make us laugh.
The crux of the movie is built around the concept of Lobola, a tradition in South Africa where the groom’s family pays the bride’s family. Usually, such negotiations involve an intermediary or broker. Enter our dubious hero, Ace Ngubeni.
Ace, who is hired by a shy client to negotiate with his rich fiancee, is nothing short of a hustler. He is crafty, charming and, unfortunately for his client, only has his eyes on the money. You can imagine how such a negotiation might turn out.
“Lobola Man” is not meant to revolutionize cinema, but it does bring us a delightful slice of life from these characters who, living in a modern society, leverage a traditional custom for their benefit. This movie is not meant to be a social critique or contribute any controversy; instead, it’s a light-hearted, classic comedy that plays with the charm of its characters to provide entertaining confusion.
The screenplay is well-written and effective, adhering to the beats of comedy – quick character introductions, setup of conflicts, crescendo of confusion, leading to the expected conclusion. All the while, the brilliance of the performances shines through.
The movie moves at a good pace and delivers a quality comedic product, although it doesn’t stand out artistically or stylistically. Its humor might be considered simple by some, and its characters aren’t complex, sticking more or less to their humorous roles.
In our opinion, “Lobola Man” succeeds in enthralling us with the eccentricities and likability of its characters. It’s a classic comedy of errors, the perfect excuse to simply switch off and get lost in a storyline that doesn’t lead anywhere significant. But, it sure does entertain.
Where to Watch “Lobola Man”
