I have to admit that Yoh! Bestie was one of the most refreshing films I've seen this week. We've seen the friends-to-lovers story dozens of times, and we already know that by the end of a film like this, the two protagonists will inevitably end up together. But what really matters is the how. Yoh! Bestie tells the story of Thando, a single woman in her 30s whose best friend, Charles, has decided to move from Johannesburg to New York, leaving her completely alone in every sense of the word. Suddenly, Thando has to rearrange her life because she feels truly alone, and this guy was her confidant.
In Yoh! Bestie, Thando is an independent woman who has her life together, but she's not rich, and she's certainly not rich in love (romantic love, that is). On the other hand, Charles spends two years dating different people in New York, while she attends wedding after wedding completely alone. The film really begins when Charles returns with a surprise for our Thando. He's engaged to a new woman she's never heard of, and she's literally perfect, except for the fact that she's over 40 and divorced.
Director: Johnny Barbuzano
Writers: Tiffany Barbuzano, Gillian Breslin, Wendy Gumede
Stars: Katlego Lebogang, Moliehi Makobane, Kagiso Modupe
There are many things I like about this film. For starters, the pacing is excellent, and it really makes you want to know more about Thando as a person. Katlego Lebogang is truly captivating in every way, because not only does she look great, but she also keeps you hooked from beginning to end. To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to Charles, because, in reality, he seemed like a kind of late bloomer compared to Thando.
Romantic comedies often treat their female protagonists as silly or clueless, but in this case, Thando is very aware of what's going on, and she's not desperate to ruin her best friend's life just because she's in love with him. On the other hand, Rea, played by Fikile Mthwalo, is not the villain you expect her to be. She's a legend and an icon who happens to be in love with Thando's best friend. I love the friendship between Thando and Riri, as well as their friendship with Charles, although this is one of those movies that hints that men and women can't just be friends, which is a real shame.
This film seems to have a big budget, with stunning panoramic views and the beautiful beaches of South Africa. The airplane scene was quite funny and very typical of romantic comedies. The film uses clichés, but also subverts them in an interesting way, which makes it more appealing than the typical "we sleep together, then decide we hate each other, and then end up falling in love" scenarios. You know what I mean. Zulu is a beautiful language to listen to and gives a lovely rhythm to the dialogue. Ironically, you might feel like you understand it while reading the subtitles, but if you just listen to them speak, you don't know when they're speaking Zulu and when they're speaking English. So I guess pay attention or watch it dubbed.
Since it's a romantic comedy, you might be wondering if the comedic parts are any good. To be honest, the film isn't necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, but there's an annoying character, Nas (no, not Lil), and then Riri and Bheki are the comedic duo, but their story is also quite endearing. That being said, there's nothing that makes you feel like it's a serious film either. You can comfortably watch it in your pajamas, with your pizza and wine. I know that's how you plan to spend Valentine's Day, and this movie is the perfect company. Just be careful not to accidentally call your best friend.
The music is also very fun, and a lot of it is traditional; there are some dance scenes, which are also great to watch. The beginning of the film feels like an homage to classic romantic comedies like 27 Dresses, as there are a lot of weddings and costume changes for Thando (including an Indian one, which for me confirmed the connection). I think the female friendships in the film are quite strong, and I really like the direction the story takes regarding the friend versus the fiancée situation. These things can get very complicated, and at the risk of giving away a spoiler, I have to add that there are no catfights in Yoh! Bestie, which I love.
I get the impression the film was written by a woman, because it doesn't make Thando chase after anyone, nor does it make Rea possessive; they're simply two different types of women, and both make perfect sense. It's actually hard to take sides, except at certain moments. That's why I said the film feels fresh, plus I've hardly seen any South African films. Although after watching this one, I want to see more.
All in all, I highly recommend watching this film if you're tired of the typical Hollywood-style romantic comedies we've seen in recent years.
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