First time watching South African movie! And the fashion was on point. So colourful! And I love being able to see and hear and just get to know South Africa.
46 Reviews
Movie was ok but fashion so on point
hausiokhoon7 August 2020
Great romcom attempt for South Africa.
luizgeorge-914121 August 2020
Excusing the ignorant yet typical American, who thinks a clean English accent is some kind of american representation...this FULLY South African Cast and Production is another great attempt at a romcom. This is a relatively new genre for the South African film industry, and though there were a few cringe-worthy acting moments, the movie was refreshing, playful, and what is to be expected of your regular romcom.
There is space for improvement in regards to originality in script, though this is a problem we see in general across, all national film industries, so let's not pretend this is where this all started. Overplayed scenarios and cliches have become the bread and butter of Hollywood, though hopefully not so much Netflix. Looking forward to the more creative side of Lwazi Mvusi. Great attempt.
There is space for improvement in regards to originality in script, though this is a problem we see in general across, all national film industries, so let's not pretend this is where this all started. Overplayed scenarios and cliches have become the bread and butter of Hollywood, though hopefully not so much Netflix. Looking forward to the more creative side of Lwazi Mvusi. Great attempt.
It followed the guidebook of how-to-make-a-romcom down to every single word...
paul_haakonsen31 July 2020
First of all, a movie such as this usually falls somewhat outside of my preference of movies to watch. But I had the opportunity to sit down and watch it, and given the fact that I hadn't already seen it, I thought I might give the movie a chance, even without ever having heard of the movie prior to now.
Well, "Seriously Single" from writer Lwazi Mvusi happened to be a very straightforward, although very generic, romantic comedy, for better or worse. Of course there is a an audience out there for a sappy movie such as this. But yeah, it falls into the category of once-you've-seen-one-movie-like-this-you've-essentially-seen-them all. Yup, it was that much of a step-by-step manuscript of how-to-make-a-romcom.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie that it was, and the limitations of the script and storyline. I wasn't familiar with a single actress or actor in the movie, which was something that actually worked out well for me.
"Seriously Single" was adequately entertaining, although it was by no account an outstanding movie.
My rating of directors Katleho Ramaphakela and Rethabile Ramaphakela's movie is a bland and mediocre five out of ten stars.
Well, "Seriously Single" from writer Lwazi Mvusi happened to be a very straightforward, although very generic, romantic comedy, for better or worse. Of course there is a an audience out there for a sappy movie such as this. But yeah, it falls into the category of once-you've-seen-one-movie-like-this-you've-essentially-seen-them all. Yup, it was that much of a step-by-step manuscript of how-to-make-a-romcom.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the type of movie that it was, and the limitations of the script and storyline. I wasn't familiar with a single actress or actor in the movie, which was something that actually worked out well for me.
"Seriously Single" was adequately entertaining, although it was by no account an outstanding movie.
My rating of directors Katleho Ramaphakela and Rethabile Ramaphakela's movie is a bland and mediocre five out of ten stars.
Nice actors get nothing to work with
kruiwagen20004 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Basically, the "main" character Dineo learns at the end not to need man to be happy, but the way she gets there is way too unbelievable and wayyyy too long and boring. She basically falls in love with a random dude we know nothing about (and learn nothing about during the entire film). He turns out to be already engaged and gets married with someone else. Dineo remains obsessed with him. She loses interest. He returns, saying he's divorced (like... 2 months after getting married). She reluctantly dates him again, dumping him after he proposes marriage. All these plot points are totally unmotivated by both characters, as we basically know nothing about them and there's no reason to empathize with them. It seems the only reason she is in to him is because he is ripped, is a good lay and to seem interesting on social media, making Dineo an extremely shallow and unsympathetic character. Dineo's best friend Noni at least has a mildly interesting arch, going from never sleeping with a guy twice, always partying, to wanting a relationship with a guy (Max, a surprisingly okay role by a sympathetic actor) she wouldn't consider boyfriend material at the beginning of the movie. Both main actresses seem fun and capable, but the script doesn't give them much to work with, especially Dineo. The characters don't have any back story, no motivation for their actions and the film doesn't use the actors' talents. What we are left with is a meager plot stretched into an almost 2 hour movie. The actors deserved better.
Sad
theprincessrose31 August 2020
It's so sad to watch a movie about women so desperate for men that they disrespect themselves and others. We need movies about women's independence and empowerment, not desperation. This movie was a horrible disappointment.
Poorly executed attempt at a Rom-Com.
Munzhedzi7771 August 2020
I normally do not watch movies like these. Had a time to sit and watch it, the characters lacked any screen chemistry, the directing was too over the top. A rom-com should at least have chemistry and not try to make every scene funny by throwing in random gags.The protagonist and the love interest could act but it still couldn't work on screen. If you want a mild easy movie, by all means you can watch it, but if you treat films like art, you will be disappointed.
Terrible, So So Bad
elishamahodayd6 August 2020
I just want to know, why do you folks keep making these bad movies? Such a bad representation of South African talent and potential. Please stop with these D grade movies. A supposed comedy that doesn't make you laugh not once. Such poor acting, terrible script. Such a waste of data. Hay suka maan!
nothing new
sasham-8660831 July 2020
Terrible
campbellgriffin4 August 2020
Really enjoyed film
rachelbernard-2489112 August 2020
I found this film modern and refreshing. Both of the main female actresses were brilliant and had great chemistry together and individually their acting was on point. I found them funny, relatable and easy to watch and the rest off the cast were also great actors. Would like to see more films with the lead actors in it. I also like the Bar manager and found him very natural and believable. Yes it was a typical rom com but I like rom coms and it had a lot of funny scenes, and was refreshing to see a film based in Africa rather than America. Great work to all involved.
Sorority was lacking...
RosanaBotafogo9 August 2020
Fun, but these films with women who chase men and / or marriages desperately and at any cost seem so futile and outdated in the middle of the 21st century, the message about self-esteem and self-sufficiency is cool, but the rivalry between women is questionable, still more when the word sorority is on the rise...
Don't waste your time
rmeche-7446910 November 2020
I really wanted to like this movie, but it was just terrible. The plot is ridiculous, the main character is so annoying and so are all of the other characters for that matter. The only reason I kept watching it because I was hoping the story would somehow save itself...but it never did.
Worthless piece of garbage
swedenghost31 August 2020
Painful to watch
suzylylesgodwin9 August 2020
Decent Enough - Just Slow
jbam_467 August 2020
I enjoyed it. There were some good laughs. I liked how easily they spoke all the different languages, kinda cool! But over all the movie was pretty slow, pacing could be improved.
I also enjoyed the ending not being the classic film story-line.
I also enjoyed the ending not being the classic film story-line.
Modern Rom Com
VanessaVVV30 August 2020
Does NOT deserve low rating
staceyleeroper6 August 2020
Who exactly is rating this? I've watched some pretty crap main stream romcoms with better reviews. This deserves better! It is a bit like a typical cliche romcom but really funny with relatable acting and chemistry between the two main female leads. Really refreshing to watch a funny non American or British movie. A win for SA!
Fresh, Freaky and Funny
roger-99-17159931 July 2020
Rom Com in a time machine?
ludichrisallen9 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I mean, this movie was entertaining. I'll give it that. And I was amazed and fascinated that they seamlessly integrated SIX different languages into the dialogue. I had no idea that people in South Africa speak Afrikaans, Zulu, English, Xsosa, Tswana and Sotho every day, switching mid sentence!. And I thought Americans blending English, Spanglish, and Yiddish was an interesting feat. But a word or phrase here and there is nothing special, I'm realizing. If I lived in South Africa, I might speak SIX languages over the course of any given day. Incredible!
But that's about where my fascination ended. This movie employs many of the most toxic romcom tropes of the 80s and 90s. There wasn't one character, plot line, or sub plot that I haven't seen dozens of times before. Luckily, current romcoms don't lean so heavily on the desperately single (yet gorgeous and successful!) young woman, Dineo, who goes from cad...to heel...to player...to dirty dog over and over again. She cannot put her own happiness and self worth first because she measures her success solely on her relationship status. And lest we miss the message that she is desperate with a capital D, she drunkenly posts a "why don't you love us?!?" Rant on social media that goes viral and inspires her new hashtag...you ready? "Desperate Bae"!! This storyline is about as subtle as a finger up your nose. The ONLY thing that's timely about it is the heavy incorporation of overused social media. But that's a poor choice as well, because in about 3...2...1...it will look as dated as the graphics in the original "Tron".
Naturally, she has a sexually liberated, yet spiritually broken sidekick, Noni. This friend won't be truly happy until she finds love with a sweet, economically inappropriate bar tender. But wait! This isn't any ordinary bar tender, no. He's a former lawyer! Of course...
That's the bad news. The good news is that, again, this is an entertaining movie. I didn't actually laugh until the gag reel during closing credits. If you can make it through, it's worth it for the gag reel alone. And the cast is beautiful, diverse and talented. They put in hard WORK with this tiresome script. I have to give them credit; this movie would be unwatchable in the hands of lesser performers. I'd like to see all of them again...in better movies.
I'm not sorry I watched this. The multi language dialogue was well worth it. I can't give it a high score, though, and I hope South Africa catches up on how to portray single women. The "my life is meaningless until my prince comes along" story is O. V. E. R. Of course, Dineo realizes this in the end, but do we really need another story about a lovely woman struggling to come to that realization? Maybe? Maybe in South Africa this message is fresh, but to a US audience, it plays as anachronistic.
In conclusion: Seriously Single is worth watching, but don't expect too much.
But that's about where my fascination ended. This movie employs many of the most toxic romcom tropes of the 80s and 90s. There wasn't one character, plot line, or sub plot that I haven't seen dozens of times before. Luckily, current romcoms don't lean so heavily on the desperately single (yet gorgeous and successful!) young woman, Dineo, who goes from cad...to heel...to player...to dirty dog over and over again. She cannot put her own happiness and self worth first because she measures her success solely on her relationship status. And lest we miss the message that she is desperate with a capital D, she drunkenly posts a "why don't you love us?!?" Rant on social media that goes viral and inspires her new hashtag...you ready? "Desperate Bae"!! This storyline is about as subtle as a finger up your nose. The ONLY thing that's timely about it is the heavy incorporation of overused social media. But that's a poor choice as well, because in about 3...2...1...it will look as dated as the graphics in the original "Tron".
Naturally, she has a sexually liberated, yet spiritually broken sidekick, Noni. This friend won't be truly happy until she finds love with a sweet, economically inappropriate bar tender. But wait! This isn't any ordinary bar tender, no. He's a former lawyer! Of course...
That's the bad news. The good news is that, again, this is an entertaining movie. I didn't actually laugh until the gag reel during closing credits. If you can make it through, it's worth it for the gag reel alone. And the cast is beautiful, diverse and talented. They put in hard WORK with this tiresome script. I have to give them credit; this movie would be unwatchable in the hands of lesser performers. I'd like to see all of them again...in better movies.
I'm not sorry I watched this. The multi language dialogue was well worth it. I can't give it a high score, though, and I hope South Africa catches up on how to portray single women. The "my life is meaningless until my prince comes along" story is O. V. E. R. Of course, Dineo realizes this in the end, but do we really need another story about a lovely woman struggling to come to that realization? Maybe? Maybe in South Africa this message is fresh, but to a US audience, it plays as anachronistic.
In conclusion: Seriously Single is worth watching, but don't expect too much.
Fun movie!
bananaweeniepop3 August 2020
South African Rom Com
jljuma1 August 2020
Typical romantic-comedy/ chick flick following the typical 'Hollywood rom-com format' but still a fresh for viewers unexposed to stories about professional and personal lifestyle of South African millennials in Johannesburg.
A producer's addendum
ludichrisallen9 August 2020
As a producer, I should add that the production of this film is excellent. The sound design, wardrobe(!!), art direction, casting, production design, graphics, color grading and music? Flawless!! This is a WIN for all of the artists and producers responsible. The direction was not terrible, but I have to question the integrity of a director, or in this case two directors, who would feel good about clocking this movie in at almost 2 hours. The editing was fine but sluggish. Again, I blame the directors for it. My earlier review was harsh and I stand by it as a viewer, but as a producer, I have to give this movie added credit. If you dig the art and craft of moviemaking as I do, this is definitely worth watching. But again, don't expect much from the script. It is NOT good.
Romantically Funny. Two Thumbs up.
KATO-SUBZERO4 August 2020
3 August 2020: I saw this South African film last night. The entire cast is good, but the comedy award goes to really cute and talented African actress, Fulu Mugovhani. Fulu is adorable to watch from start to finish. Her equally talented big girl co-star, Tumi Morake is also very funny and delivers her comedic timing perfectly. I hope to see Fulu and Tumi together in other films.
This was cute.
yolandabean8 August 2020
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