HIGHBROW FILM REVIEW

 

HIGHBROW FILM REVIEW (By Sangwani Chigezero Chibaka)

Highbrow is really epic, a true visualization of the corruption and money laundering 'cashgate' scandal, as portrayed in the motion picture directed by Chawezi 'Chaz' Munthali.

With many promising actors, a remarkable storyline and excellent picture quality, I watched the movie with high expectations. The message is powerful, a precise art that refreshes our memories on one of the biggest scandals this country has ever seen on grand theft of public funds.

Sergio's role is very well appreciated, a victim of circumstances caught in between a fight bigger than himself. This is seen through the ironical part of his life as he gets carried away by his sudden appointment as Malawi's new budget director, a position he deems the most powerful in the country. However we see him gain confidence and refuse to be a puppet to the senior government officials who only wish to use his position for their personal gain, he's determined to stand his grounds through hell and high waters.

Personally I like Amos Msekandiana's brilliant acting, he may be a newcomer to me but I think he did his character justice. The ghetto was well portrayed, the supporting characters were interesting. Jungle, his girlfriend and all his friends represented the ghetto very well. I find the sense of humor in some scenes quite hilarious, for me it's Sergio's sister's friend. One simple sentence from her, but it made me laugh to death.

The score of the film is on point, the ones responsible for song selection were evidently dedicated to their purpose. The choice of songs is excellent, it even remains true to the scenes and the setting, a notable example is of the song that plays in the scene set In Zambia.

Nonetheless, for me Highbrow isn't my favorite feature film, the plot is absolutely amazing, but the action scenes are underused, quick and yields to nothing. I feel like the top government officials should have had bodyguards or security escorts, I mean it's not everyday you see a cabinet minister or a whole country's budget director self driving around town. 

Roderick's fight with Jaffar's henchman could have been more lively and thrilling (though I did like that door breaking stunt). We could have also seen more back to back action when Roderick was being caught by Jaffar's henchman.

The hit-men were amazing but their supporting roles were underused in both scenes, especially the scene set in Zambia where they fight Jungle, more live action stunts could have been ideal.

The league of Asians should have been given more screen-time, this could have sparked necessary interest and action thereby retaining the fun, rather than showing us one Asian to represent the whole community.

The way some of the scenes have been interconnected is somewhat disappointing. Firstly the flashback (memory) scene was it really necessary? I don't see any reason why we were taken back to 1988 and encounter a younger Sergio. Lastly some scenes have been either cut too soon or they carry a few details for example; the scene in which Roderick is being caught for questioning and the scene in which Jaffar's henchman call him to report about Roderick's plan to escape. These scenes should have been longer, or at least showed us the much anticipated action they deserved.

All in a nutshell, it seems the production team had all their hands on deck, the movie is well acted, nicely plotted, poorly scripted but has witty dialogues that makes it fun to watch!