HALF OF A YELLOW SUN (2013)

HALF OF A YELLOW SUN
RELEASED 2013
Directed by:  BIYI BANDELE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, IGBO

SYNOPSIS:
Follows the life of a set of twin sisters, during the biafran war. One of them chooses to leave behind her wealthy family life in lagos, to shack up with a man she loves,

who happens to be a revolutionary in Nsukka, and later relocated to Biafra.

REVIEW:

I wasn’t born in the biafran war times, and knew virtually nothing about it, until I read Chimamanda Adichie’s masterful work in 2008 (book actually came out in 2006).

I have seen a lot of movies that were adaptations of novels, and they always have one thing in common… they are always underwhelming, never as good as the book ( Well except for twilight saga, that turned a 50 Nairas worth romance novel into a block buster).

With that said, in order to enjoy this movie, first throw your knowledge of what you read from the book out the window, and enjoy a new story, because so many things were adjusted. Unlike the book, the movie focused more on Olanna (Thandi Newton), while the book focused on four characters… Olanna, Odenigbo, Richard, and Ugwu. We were able to see their points of view on the on going war, and the personal wars they all had to battle. The movie is more of a drama, bearing little focus on the war itself.
Even though people complained about the casting of this movie, I believe that’s the best thing that could have happened to the movie… well, if you can overlook the fake Nigerian accents

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THUMBS UP:

To Onyeka Onwenu who was amazing as the scheming mother in law.To that wedding explosion, is the best thing that happened in the movie.To Thandi Newton for carrying as much as the script would allow her. I couldn't feel the twin vibe, but it wasn't her fault.The cast is extremely talented. The movie is awesome, regardless of the fact that it will never be anything like the book.

BAD: 

I can’t get over the fact that the movie presents the Biafran war as if it happened over just a short period of time, wounding just a few, when in actuality, it happens to be one of the world’s biggest genocides.  I can’t get over the fact that John Boyega was reduced to worrying about how to cook rice. His character had much more impact in the book, and he is a very talented actor ( have seen you seen ATTACK THE BLOCK?). He could have played it.

Anika Noni Rose’s talent was underused also.

Well, call me Tom Petty, but I’ll still say it… I wish the cast was more Nigerian… yeah. I said it.

It might not be as awesome as the book, but HALF OF A YELLOW SUN IS AN AWESOME MOVIE… You should watch it.

RATING:

images from google.