Endgame

I not believe I have been living under a rock, so why have I not heard of this South African-centred drama and why are we only seeing it now – a full year after it was shown on UK television?

Okay, so after getting over this personal bugbear I was slightly curious as to why this movie, written by an English scriptwriter, was even produced and with an awesome cast to boot. Turns out the story revolves around one Michael Young, an employee of a British mining company, who took it upon himself to broker secret talks between Thabo Mbeki and a representative of Afrikaaner establishment, professor Willie Esterhuyse, circa 1988. It was in large part thanks to his perseverance and foresight that Nelson Mandela was released and the ban on the ANC was lifted.

Playing Young is an all-grown up and seriously impressive Jonny Lee Miller, and alongside him the dashing and equally superb Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mbeki. Also look out for a surprise performance by our formidable John Kani. Overseas critics have hailed the movie as a thrilling and competent drama – we, on the other hand, might sadly be put off by the fact that it’s “another apartheid movie with lousy SA accents”. I predict that many will wait for this to hit DVD.

Rating: 3.5 outta 5.