Wah-Wah (2005)

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 »

Director:

Richard E. Grant

Writer:

Richard E. Grant

Stars:

Gabriel Byrne, Emily Watson, Nicholas Hoult

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gabriel Byrne	...	Harry Compton
Emily Watson	...	Ruby Compton
Julie Walters	...	Gwen Traherne
Nicholas Hoult	...	Ralph Compton - 14 years
Miranda Richardson	...	Lauren Compton
Zac Fox	...	Ralph Compton - 11 years old
Celia Imrie	...	Lady Riva Hardwick
Julian Wadham	...	Charles Bingham
Fenella Woolgar	...	June Broughton
John Matshikiza	...	Dr. Zim Mzimba
Sid Mitchell	...	Vernon
John Carlisle	...	Sir Gifford Hardwick
Mathokoza Sibiya	...	Dozen
Sindisiswe Nxumalo	...	Regina
Michael Richard	...	Tobias

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.

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Plot Keywords:

swaziland | divorce | alcoholism | cuckold | british imperialism | 

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Taglines:

Every family has its own language.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [uk] Samuel Goldwyn Films

Country:

UK France South Africa

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Bla-Bla

Filming Locations:

Swaziland

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

Production Co:

Scion Films, IMG Productions, Loma Nasha

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

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.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

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

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Connections

References Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Saw premier of Wah-Wah at Edinburgh

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.