• Wah-Wah (2005)

    Ralph Compton (Nicholas Hoult), a youth in Swaziland, witnesses the disintegration of his dysfunctional family, as Britain's rule in South Africa comes to an end. His father's (Gabriel Byrne) heavy drinking increasingly alienates Ralph and his stepmother (Emily Watson), so the teen's mother (Miranda Richardson) -- who left long ago -- returns to reclaim her family.

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Wah-Wah
61
metacriticBased on 25 Critics
68
Based on 12 Users

Release Date: 2005

DVD Release Date: November 21st, 2006

R |1 hr 39 min

Plot Summary

Ralph Compton (Nicholas Hoult), a youth in Swaziland, witnesses the disintegration of his dysfunctional family, as Britain's rule in South Africa comes to an end. His father's (Gabriel Byrne) heavy drinking increasingly alienates Ralph and his stepmother (Emily Watson), so the teen's mother (Miranda Richardson) -- who left long ago -- returns to reclaim her family.

Cast: Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, Julie Walters, Nicholas Hoult, Celia Imrie, Julian Wadham, Fenella Woolgar

Director: Richard E. Grant

Genres: Drama

Production Co: Scion Films

Keywords: Emotional, Moving, Intense, Fall, Son, Father, Mother, Growing up, 1960s

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Ratings & Reviews

  • 70
    Kirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood Reporter

    Veteran actor Richard E. Grant makes his writing and directing debut with Wah-Wah, a startling portrait of his own startling and unusual childhood, growing up in Swaziland in the waning days of the British Empire in Africa. show more

  • 75
    Jami BernardNew York Daily News

    Thanks to Grant's script and direction, the exotic Swaziland location (a film first) and an engaging cast, this smartly crafted drama radiates a gently comic pulse. show more

  • 75
    Roger EbertChicago Sun-Times

    Wah-Wah has a sequence, based on old newsreels, in which the flag is lowered and the sun sets on another bit of the empire. Odd how many critics have felt the whole movie should be about this. I don't see why. The story is about people who lived closed lives, and a film about them would necessarily give independence only a supporting role. show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com

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