Seriously Single Parent Guide

Dineo (Fulu Mugovhani) believes in true love. Even though she has experienced frequent disappointments, Dineo persists in searching for the right man to come home to every night. Noni (Tumi Morake), one the other hand, believes in sex as a recreational sport. She is constantly on the hunt for her next one-night stand. Despite their divergent views, the two women have been besties for years. Their friendship is the one constant each can count on.

So, it is Noni’s apartment Dineo returns to when she gets dumped on Valentine’s Day. In an attempt to cure her heartache, Noni takes Dineo to parties and bars where she hopes abundant alcohol and obliging men will convert the jilted woman to the joys of the single life.

But the plan backfires for both of them. Dineo ends up meeting a handsome womanizer named Lunga (Bohang Moeko) who ignites her romantic fantasies all over again. And Noni beds Max (Yonda Thomas) who challenges her rule of only sleeping with a man once.

Written by Lwazi Mvusi and directed by siblings Katleho and Rethabile Ramaphakela, this South African movie follows about a year’s worth of the triumphs and travails experienced by the two protagonists as they search for sex in the city of Johannesburg. While the setting, culture and mix of languages (subtitles appear for some parts of the dialogue) may prove novel for North American audiences, the basic plot points of this romantic comedy are the usual schlock.

Family viewers will also be deterred by pervasive substance use and casual attitudes towards sex. The characters are often portrayed drinking to excess. Drug use and smoking are shown briefly. Passionate kissing, undressing and couples in bed together (usually in their underwear) imply intimate relationships, while such activities are discussed in crass conversations and mimicked with suggestive body language. And swearing is heard throughout, including a few uses of a strong sexual expletive.

The screenplay does attempt to impart some morals to its story. Dineo and Noni are each forced to question their views about relationships. Misguided understandings of the virtues of dependence and independence are explored. The value of strong friendships is extoled. And a warning about over-sharing on social media is unmistakable. But these messages are so encumbered by unnecessary content that it is difficult to take this exposé on the plight of single life very seriously.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.