The FiFi Report 152

Catch a Fire …directed by Philip Noyce
Produced by Eric Fellner, Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack
Screenplay: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anthony Minghella, Robyn Slovo and Shawn Slovo, daughter of militant ANC member Joe Slovo.
Genre: Based on a true story it’s a Political Thriller
Who: Derek Luke, Tim Robbins, Bonnie Henna, Mncedisi Shabangu
The Plot: South Africa early 1980’s. Happy young couple in love. Live under South African Aparthied. He works at oil refinery. Her name is Precious. She looks after kids. He is avoids politics. Until arrested. He is innocent. Joins the ANC. Tim Robbins is a bad cop. He is nice to his kids. He is not nice to the black guys. Bad things happen. More bad things happen. Wife not happy. Terrible people do terrible things. Good people do wonderful things. Nelson Mandela appears. The end
Acting: Derek Luke, best known for his Independent Spirit Award-winning lead performance in Antwone Fisher, brings a maturity, gravity and even fury to his richest role to date. Tim Robbins is excellent
Photography: Fantastic
Design: It’s hot dusty and dirty in Soweto. The contrast of rich and poor and black and white is stark. There is nothing glamorous here.
Wardrobe: It’s the 1980’s wide collar peeking out of snazzy tweed jackets, print wrap dresses and stripe vest.
Salon de Beaute: There is not a lot of makeup and blow drying in Apartheid .
Botox: Triple does to deal with the torture, the blood ‘n guts, the violence.
Waterproof Mascara: bring it on! Apply lashings of it for the ending.
Bloodnguts: Apparently there are Brutal torture scenes. My eyes were closed.
Smokin’ smooches: A little romance
Car chases: Yes and more
Rename It: Out of Africa
Best Review: “.This one’s a nail-biter, a fast-paced, compulsively watchable political thriller.” Globe and Mail
Best Worst Review: “Phillip Noyce’s Catch a Fire shares its name with the classic Bob Marley record. The record is better.” Boston Globe
See it or donate to the Prada Bag fund? Prada? Prada? Who is Prada? See this movie even if it’s with your eyes half shut in the scary bits and your mascara is running in the heart warming scenes.
http://www.catchafiremovie.com