Movie Review: Gebokste Liefde
One-liner: Sharp performances and dexterous genre interplay compels this colourful and plucky rom-com sports drama.
Gebokste Liefde is a spirited sports comedy romance drama from Annelize Frost about a divorced woman who picks up boxing in order to deal with the mounting frustrations in her life. Navigating her ex-husband’s prospect of a new life without her, Suma-Lee joins a boxing club in order to vent some of her anger towards him. In doing so, she pins her hopes on the chance of a new life with a handsome boxing instructor, Clive.
Full of moxie, this plucky feel carries in its lead character, Suma-Lee, who must undergo a number of trials to learn how to set boundaries and reclaim her life. At first, the bubbly romcom seems destined to move along well-worn grooves as romance blossoms in a predictable way. Yet, the relationship becomes complicated by timebomb secrets that threaten to turn into deal-breakers for the mentor-apprentice pairing.
A solid ensemble, Gebokste Liefde leans on its actors, crafting an entertaining movie full of heart and attitude. The film stars Tarryn Wyngaard, a talented and determined young actor who has been making waves on the local scene in series like Devil’s Peak, Raised by Wolves and films like Stam and Pou. While the first romantic comedy feature film for the rising star, she looks right at home and takes to the new genre terrain with relative ease.
Her star quality shines through and its easy to sink into Suma-Lee’s story thanks to Tarryn Wyngaard’s delicate balance of vulnerability and inner strength. Wyngaard’s supported by Erica Wessels as her Devil Wears Prada boss, Meghan Oberholzer as crazed ex Cheryl, and her sparring partner in the ring, Jandre le Roux. Gebokste Liefde enjoys good co-lead chemistry between Wyngaard and le Roux, while Meghan Oberholzer deserves special mention for her intimidating and wickedly comical performance as Cheryl.
Gebokste Liefde is a curious blend of genres, taking what would ordinarily be a rom-com and integrating sports drama as the two sub-genres compete in the ring. While the hybridised genre mix manages to hold everything together thanks to a nimble script, the fun and playful undertone keeps things accessible, moving from a predictable plotline to something much more complex and sinister even.
…with this ring.
The narrative shift is welcome and deftly handled, as the filmmakers manage to keep a lid on what could have easily become overblown and even silly. Shooting on a tight schedule, Frost manages to keep things in check and on track. Walking this precarious tightrope adds to the tension and strange brew that is Gebokste Liefde, keeping audiences light on their toes. Much like a boxing match, the film does land a few blows and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, it manages to surprise you with a left hook.
While boxing isn’t the main focus here, it does add a fresh spin to this movie about empowerment and taking control of your life again. Through these powerful themes of self-determination, Gebokste Liefde manages to be more substantial than your average rose-tinted romantic comedy, powering home with impassioned performances and some sparkling scenes that keep you guessing.
There’s plenty to enjoy in this peppy local sports comedy romance drama, with enough of a fresh spin to make it memorable. There are a few diversions and moments that threaten to overcook the carefully balanced genre mix and consistent tone. Yet, Gebokste Liefde manages to sidestep these niggles to maintain its comic sensibilities, a competent, good-looking, colourful and vibrant movie. Overall, this is a fun and entertaining watch, thanks to Gebokste Liefde’s defiant story, sharp cast and shades of light and dark, making it clock in above its weight.
The bottom line: Plucky
