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Wah-Wah (2005)

 -  Drama  -  2 June 2006 (UK)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 2,233 users   Metascore: 61/100
Reviews: 47 user | 47 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com

Set at the end of the '60s, as Swaziland is about to receive independence from Great Britain, the film follows the young Ralph Compton, at 12, through his parents' traumatic separation, ... See full summary »

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Title: Wah-Wah (2005)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Gwen Traherne
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Lauren Compton
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Lady Riva Hardwick
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June Broughton
John Matshikiza ...
Dr. Zim Mzimba
Sid Mitchell ...
Vernon
John Carlisle ...
Sir Gifford Hardwick
Mathokoza Sibiya ...
Dozen
Sindisiswe Nxumalo ...
Regina
Michael Richard ...
Tobias
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Storyline

Set at the end of the '60s, as Swaziland is about to receive independence from Great Britain, the film follows the young Ralph Compton, at 12, through his parents' traumatic separation, till he's 14. It is written and directed by Richard E Grant, and based on true events from Richard E Grant's childhood. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Every family has its own language.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

Release Date:

2 June 2006 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Bla-Bla  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$45,146 (New Zealand) (8 September 2006)

Gross:

$135,568 (New Zealand) (15 September 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

When the film was written, Richard E. Grant wanted "Ralph" to be played by two boys, something the casting director was initially against. However, during the audition process Zac Fox and Nicholas Hoult were thought to be perfect and as they looked different ages, they were both cast. See more »

Goofs

The movie supposedly starts in 1969 with the date appearing on the screen. Yet Swaziland received independence on 6 September 1968. See more »

Quotes

Ruby Compton: I'm an American.
Lady Riva Hardwick: How very hubbly jubbly for you.
See more »

Connections

References Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) See more »

Soundtracks

"Goodnight Sweetheart"
Written by Ray Noble, Jimmy Campbell & Reginald Connelly
Performed by Ray Noble and his Orchestra
Vocalist: Al Bowlly
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Saw premier of Wah-Wah at Edinburgh
19 August 2005 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

Saw Wah-Wah at the Edinburgh International Film Festival – this is a really wonderful film. The story is told from the point of view of Ralph, a child witnessing the breakdown of his parent's marriage and dealing with his father's alcoholism and hasty remarriage. Both the colonial life and the adult relationships are seen, unflatteringly, from Ralph's perspective, and this could easily have been just another caricature of colonial decadence and the end of empire. In fact, despite the sombre story, it has humour and warmth as well as emotional impact. It also looks stunning: it is hard to believe this is Richard Grant's first film. All the cast give strong performances, even if most of them are hardly playing against type: Celia Imry could probably do the "upper-class bitch" and Julie Walters the "blowsy but good-hearted neighbour" in their sleep: but the core relationship between Ralph and his father Harry, played by Gabriel Byrne, is just electrifying. Byrne is totally convincing as the dedicated colonial administrator whose unresolved feelings for his first wife and fears for his future after independence drive him to alcoholism and nearly wreck his second marriage (to the also excellent Emily Watson). According to the press the film has yet to find a distributor: let's hope it is quickly picked up – this is ten times better than any of this summer's blockbusters, and deserves to be seen.


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