Discover the Heartwarming Journey of ‘Som van Twee’ – A Must-See Indie Comedy!

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An enjoyable, oddball, sincere, and lively independent comedy adventure along the highway, featuring a determined ensemble.

Som van Twee (Sum of Two) is a quirky, colourful, road movie and adventure comedy from the mind of Simoné Pretorius, a feature film debut for the writer-director, which stars Louw Venter, Adriaan Havenga and James Borthwick. The film centres on Henk Opperman, a middle-aged psychologist struggling to come to terms with his wife’s tragic death. Steeped in anger and denial, he begins to reconnect with his son Renier when he’s forced to retake his matric mathematics exam or run the risk of ruining his career.

This upbeat tale tells the story of a man who discovers he must rewrite his matric examination as education authorities clamp down on a 1990 class where cheating was uncovered. Roping in the help of his son, who happens to be a gifted maths tutor and a budding rock star, the two struggle to reconcile as they come to terms with loss as their healing journey begins with a trip to get the band to a make-or-break gig.

Tapping into the realm of Little Miss Sunshine and Around the Bend, there’s a lightness to this dark comedy, which deals with restoration and overcoming grief. Tender as a father-son duo navigate the aftermath of a beloved matriarchal figure, Som van Twee pivots from its outlandish premise to craft a heartfelt and entertaining movie with some lovable characters.

The underlying concept of a class of students being forced to retake an exam many years later is quite far-fetched, creating the perfect conditions for bonding and a son to have a fair degree of influence over his father. Telling the story across three generations, Henk finds himself flailing as he attempts to find a new normal without his precious wife. Starting at Nicolene’s funeral with a wayward eulogy, which includes a confession, things devolve as a new mission rises from the ashes.

A selection of oddball characters and good casting helps set the scene as experienced comedy veterans weigh in. A multi-generational tale with mainstream charm, Som van Twee is bound to appeal to audiences of most ages with its cheeky sense of humour and spirited undertone. Large and in charge, Louw Venter plays Henk, managing to convey a well-balanced and versatile performance. He’s supported by Adriaan Havenga in a determined, earnest turn as his maths tutor turned rock star son, Renier.

“Take a look around you… I’m a psychologist. A flippin’ good one too.”

Walking the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, James Borthwick is dependable as ever, playing his quirky and matter-of-fact dad, Gert. Centred on this trio, the supporting cast chime in with some nuggetty performances, tapping into the indie spirit of Little Miss Sunshine, mixing light and dark tones when it comes to genre. There’s much to appreciate in Som van Twee, from some zippy dialogue to heartwarming moments.

Som van Twee certainly captures a lot of what Simoné Pretorius brings to productions as an actress. Now in the director’s chair, there’s a comfortable steadiness to her direction, managing to coax solid performances from her able cast. This sense of trust and actor oversight echoes throughout the film as the performances manage to capture the moments without feeling overwrought. While there could have been a greater sense of identification and empathy with Henk and his plight, the dialogue is thoughtful and handled with sensitivity, which translates into steadfast performances.

This dark comedy has a fairly progressive genre mix by South African standards, reminiscent of Liewe Kersfeesvader. Engaging and heartfelt, it carries through with a sense of authenticity in spite of its contrived story device, poking fun at the education system and aging. There’s a feel-good echo of the indie music gem, Sing Street, in the way the film builds to its climactic conclusion, and the band gets to their performance.

Modelled on other resourceful and uplifting indie movies such as Around the Bend, Little Miss Sunshine and Sing Street, Som van Twee outperforms itself on many levels. Having won numerous awards at the Silwerskermfees, this crowd-pleasing comedy-drama is filled with fun, powered by spirited performances, and shines a ray of light through the darkness to serve as an inspirational tale. Cheeky, plucky, and good-natured, there’s rarely a dull moment as this quirky, well-weighted film finds its stride.

The bottom line: Lively

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2025-03-18 12:48