Wah-Wah

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Wah-Wah

R,

2005,

1h 39m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

54%

69 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

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.

Critics Consensus

The ensemble cast is strong, but they get overpowered by the muddled stew of melodrama.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Jun 24, 2006

3/5

Wah-Wah is never less than good but it's also never quite great.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jun 16, 2006

3/4

I admired the movie and was happy to see it but can think of two other films about whites in Africa that do a better job of seeing their roles.

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Jessica Reaves

Chicago Tribune

Jun 15, 2006

2/4

Watching it is like trying to assemble a puzzle that's missing pieces: You can see the outline of a story, and some shapes fit neatly together, but there are undeniable holes.

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

May 12, 2020

Watson shifts from deceptively demur to hellcat without losing a beat or upstaging the rest of the film.

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Christopher Campbell

Cinematical

Sep 17, 2007

2.5/5

After watching his directorial debut, Wah-Wah, I'd like [Richard] Grant to stay in front of the camera.

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Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

Jun 21, 2007

B

Emily Watson is delightful as the American step-mother, as is the rest of the ensemble.

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George W

Oct 30, 2018

Wah-Wah provides occasionally affecting moments (such as the touching final scene) that offer the unfulfilled promise of a better story. However, despite everything that happens between the opening and end credits, the unevenness of the pacing results in a production that feels longer than its 97 minutes. And it is both surprising and disappointing that an actor of Richard E. Grant's stature proves unable to provoke better performances from some of his stars. Overall, the plot of Wah-Wah is as unmemorable as the title. An okay one time watch but with so much content available- why would you?

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Richard E. Grant

Director

Gabriel Byrne

Harry Compton

Miranda Richardson

Lauren Compton

Emily Watson

Ruby Compton

Julie Walters

Gwen Traherne

Nicholas Hoult

Ralph Compton

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Richard E. Grant
Producer: Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, Pierre Kubel, Jeff Abberley
Screenwriter: Richard E. Grant
Production Co: Scion Films
Rating: R (Some Language|Brief Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 12, 2006
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 12, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $233.1K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS

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