2oceansvibe News | South African and international news

Sponsored by RSAWeb rss
2ov Radio
  • Home
  • About
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Seth Rotherham
  • du Cap Collection
  • Café du Cap
  • Cabine du Cap
  • Media Packs / Advertising
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Anonymous Tips
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
Seth Rotherham
  • SPL!NG Movie Review: Felix

    11 Sep 2013 by SPLING in Entertainment, Movie Reviews, Movies, Trailers
    Related Posts
    • SPL!NG Movie Review: Return To Space
    • The 'Top Gun: Maverick' Reviews Are In
    • SPL!NG Movie Review: The Alpinist
    • SPL!NG Movie Review: Silverton Siege
    • SPL!NG Movie Review: Spencer

    Felix is a feel-good comedy drama that you will cherish for its fun, exuberant and sweet-natured tone. This delightful underdog story arrives in the wake of Spud and has been dubbed “Billy Elliott with Cape Jazz”. It’s wholeheartedly entertaining and difficult not to like, owing to a positively charming ensemble, a spirited story about a boy with a dream and lively local jazz.

    When young Felix Xaba enrolls at an elitist private school in Cape Town on a scholarship, his dream of becoming a saxophonist like his late father drives him to audition for a school jazz concert. With the help of two aging members from his father’s old band, Felix prepares to participate, against his mother’s wishes.

    The title character is played by Hlayani Junior Mabasa, who was selected from over 500 auditions across South Africa. Mabasa has an innocent and willful spirit, one that translates beautifully into the equally open and tenacious character of Felix. While small in stature, Felix’s quest to rise above his circumstances at all costs makes this fish-out-of-water comedy music drama admirable and endearing.

    He’s supported by a host of talents, including: Oscar-nominee Dame Janet Suzman as Mrs. Cartwright, Linda Sokhulu as Lindiwe, Andre Jacobs as Mr. Murray and Nicholas Ellenborgen as Mr. Soames. Felix marks the first South African feature film for Johannesburg-born Suzman and SAFTA-winning actress, Sokhulu. Both actresses deliver heartfelt performances that give great depth and swell to the emotional undercurrents.

    Sax appeal.

    Director, Roberta Durrant, has ensured that every performance carries the same jubilant spirit. The cast’s chemistry makes it seem like this was a family affair and there’s a synergy between the actors that seems to bring the story together. This liveliness is enhanced by a catchy soundtrack produced by musical director Murray Anderson, who worked closely with talented and award-winning artists: Mark Fransman, Bokani Dyer and Lwanda Gogwana.

    Shirley Johnston’s award-winning, intelligent and laugh-out-loud funny script, is the first that SAFTA lifetime achievement winner, Durrant, has chosen to direct after making a name for herself as a creative producer. While about a boy, Felix is one of the most female-empowered film productions to come out of South Africa, made up of director, writer, editor, cinematographer, line producer, art director, wardrobe stylist and hair/make up artist.

    Felix’s gentle idealism is refreshing and carries throughout the film. There’s a Madam & Eve essence to the production, featuring well-rounded characters who are animated enough to have their own comic strip. The relentless enthusiasm sometimes seems rainbow nation surreal, despite efforts to chide the irrepressible characters with echoes of alcoholism, threats of bullying and overriding economic disparities.

    It’s no secret Felix is a crowd-pleaser, leveraging classic formula to great effect with reach for a dream determinism. The emotion will resonate with all audiences, but will ring true for South Africans, who have special social, economic and political insights. While it deals with the haves and the have-nots, Felix is a film that unifies through music and comedy, cutting across racial lines with an optimistic message.

    While wide-eyed and formulaic, Felix oozes enough natural charm to override its flaws and constraints. You won’t be able to resist Felix’s upbeat tempo, jolly disposition, feel-good music, sharp-witted script and spirited underdog story. It’s the sort of film that starts off slow and gently cocoons you with its infectious tone and crowd-pleasing mix of entertainment as it gathers speed.

    The bottom line: Irresistible

    Release date: 13 September, 2013
    Book Tickets at Ster-Kinekor

    Book Tickets at Nu Metro
    Catch more movie reviews at SPL!NG

    • ← Flying The Flag: SA Doctor Jailed In Britain For Taking Porn Pics Of Underage Patients
    • Here Is Craft Beer’s First Billionaire →
    • Tweet
    • Tags:
    • billy elliot
    • felix
    • felix movie
    • felix south africa
    • hlayani junior mabasa
    • janet suzman
    • jazz
    • linda sokhulu
    • movie review
    • movie trailer
    • proudly south african
    • sacs
    • spling

    Latest News

    • June Is Going To Be A Rough Month

      [imagesource: Neil McCartney] Batten down the hatches, because here comes trouble. W...

    • The Joys Of Online Learning

      We’ve spoken a lot over the past few weeks about why online learning might be the right ...

    • Why The Traffic Was So Horrendous On The N1 Into Cape Town This Morning [Video]

      [imagesource: Twitter / @CapeTownFreeway] My condolences to anybody heading into the ci...

    • We Want: David Bowie’s Classic Yacht For $5 Million

      [imagesource: Fraser Yachts] You can bet your bottom dollar that David Bowie’s former...

    • Zapiro’s Perfect Take On The R22m Flag Saga

      [imagesource: iStock] How best can one spend R22 million in a country where so many have ...


    • 2oceansvibe Partners

    • CONTACT US
    • GOT A HOT STORY?
    • 2oceansvibe Radio
    • 2oceansvibe Media
    • Media Pack
    • Seth Rotherham
    • Café du Cap
    • Cabine du Cap
    • Cape Town City Accommodation
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Business
    • Media
    • Entertainment
    • Tech/Sci
    • World
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Sport
    • Politics
  • Follow

    2oceansvibe.com is part of the 2oceansVibe Media Group

    DMMA Logo