Movie Review: Soos Pynappel op Pizza
One-liner: A stellar cast contend with a cheeky, promising and quirky yet ultimately awkward and divisive romcom.
Soos Pynappel op Pizza (Like Pineapple on Pizza) is an opposites attract romantic comedy with a twist from writer-director Morné Strydom. The film centres on two chefs from different walks of life, who discover love at a singles retreat, both venturing forth to a cult-like oasis where establishing true synchronisation is the end goal. They are subjected to a number of couples tests designed to pair singles as they undergo various challenges, from connection exercises to shared chores.
Singles arrive at the romantic boot camp with different expectations as a solid local cast chip in with supporting performances. Top billing goes to Schalk Bezuidenhout and Kate Pinchuck. Bezuidenhout plays Waldo, a prim and proper Afrikaans stay-at-home culinary chef, whose parents decide it’s high time he got over a former flame and life slump. A failure to launch, he’s required to prepare three meals a day for his parents. It doesn’t take too much arm-twisting to get him to sign up for the camp after basically being given an ultimatum by his mother.
Pinchuck plays Becca a vivacious Instagram star chef whose provocative show, ‘Get Basted with Becca’, matches her saucy demeanour. A sassy young Jewish woman, it’s her brother and his boyfriend who convince her to take the plunge, and it’s not long before the odd couple begin to muddle each other’s lives. A quirky rom-com, it’s refreshing to have an unlikely pairing in Schalk Bezuidenhout and Kate Pinchuck, who are friends in real life.
Having this familiarity creates a sense of comfort between the co-leads, even though the chemistry could have been better. Usually playing supporting side characters with flair, it’s refreshing to have them sharing the spotlight in a Benny and Joon style romance comedy. A well-known stand-up comedian, Bezuidenhout is no stranger to acting, having played the lead role in the critically-acclaimed Kanarie and in subsequent light-hearted comedies such as Kaalgat Karel.
A prolific and iconic face in the local media, Bezuidenhout brings a lot of his pizzazz to screen with his performance, leaning into his trademark look. A modest production, Soos Pynappel op Pizza gives way to its playful title, aiming for a silly light-hearted tone instead of trying to go too dramatic or romantic.
“Does this count as moving in together?”
It’s fun to see these unconventional co-leads going through a series of fractious scenarios as they draw closer, going to great lengths to sell the idea of a cult-like single’s retreat. The filmmakers toy with the camp setting and over-the-top seriousness of the programme. While there are some great ideas, this lightweight rom-com doesn’t really get off the ground.
The casting is refreshing and there’s a raunchy undertone to the comedy, which is not all that familiar for South African films. While it could have been racier, the movie keeps things edgy without getting in people’s faces. Beyond these inherent quirks, Soos Pynappel op Pizza leans into its awkward dimension, but never really finds its stride, trying to play to some cute couples moments.
The co-lead pairing, as comfortable as they are in each other’s company, don’t seem like a natural fit. This forced chemistry doesn’t make it all that endearing as a couple dynamic, and this also forces the film to lean on its so-so script. While there are one or two funny moments when it comes to delivery and situational comedy, it’s not overly romantic or funny. A middling rom-com, there’s enough going for Soos Pynappel op Pizza that you would get through it. Apart from its unusual co-leads and quirky title, much like a pineapple it’s exotic, a bit prickly, thick-skinned and sweet at times but not all that memorable.
A lightweight distraction, the playful attitude and raunchy tone distinguish it, but may also be divisive when it comes to appealing to a mainstream audience. Through coarse language and some adult themes, it’s a bit of a strange mix, but much like its title, gives you all you need to know when it comes to one’s overall appreciation. For some, pineapple on pizza is great, and for others, it’s detestable. So much like Napoleon Dynamite, this oddball rom-com has the potential to go either way.
It’s great to see Schalk Bezuidenhout in a lead role, doing his thing, and while Kate Pinchuck is a worthy counterpoint, this awkward little rom-com is a little underwhelming. When it comes to the cooking component of the film, the two seem to come alive and into their own, but this is late in the game. Perhaps having more time to finesse the screenplay would have enabled the film to go to some more fun and creative spaces, but as it stands, it’s a cheeky distraction at best.
The bottom line: Underwhelming
