The following is a movie review “Number 37” by Marc Primo.
Release date: Nov 20, 2018 (United States)
Director: Nosipho Dumisa
Language: English
Production companies: Dark Star Pictures
Producers: Bradley Joshua, Benjamin Overmeyer
Now here’s a movie that isn’t getting as much hype as it deserves.
After watching it, you’ll probably agree that it doesn’t take an Alfred Hitchcock fan to realize that Number 37 pays homage to Rear Window—widely considered to be the finest work of the late “Master of Suspense”.
The latest entry to a long list of films that have nodded to Hitchcockian greatness, Number 37 is loosely based on his 1954 classic that starred James Stewart and Grace Kelly, cementing their immortal status as Hollywood legends.
Director Nosipho Dumisa makes no bones about signalling who her main influence is, and fortunately for everyone, she succeeds in delivering a gritty thriller that would not make Sir Alfred turn in his grave.
Set in urban South Africa, Number 37 tells the story of Randal, a small time criminal, whose instant karma arrives in the form of a serious injury that reduces him to a wheelchair-bound cripple, with only his partner, Pam, looking out for him.
As if things weren’t grim enough, Randal and Pam find themselves up against Emmie, the former’s lunatic partner in crime-cum-loan shark, who gives the pair an ultimatum to pay up by the end of the week, with the promise of dastardly deeds should they fail to do so.
While clearly inspired by Rear Window, Dumisa’s feature directorial debut also offers fresh ingredients through its imagery and narrative, doing more than enough to make the final cut a compelling cinematic experience in its own right.
Number 37 is concrete evidence that in show business, a big name and a big budget are not mandatories to make a good film. Nosipho Dumisa is a name to watch out for, and Number 37 is the number one reason why you should do just that.
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