Movie Review: Pretty How Town

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This charming film is a funny and moving story about people in a small town. It features great acting and explores the important theme of acceptance.

Pretty How Town is a charming and unusual comedy-drama set in a small town. The story revolves around a mysterious newcomer who shakes things up and gets everyone talking. It’s a great example of a type of South African film that focuses on small-town life, and it stands out for its believable and well-developed characters. Although the title might seem a bit awkward, the film is surprisingly subtle, inspired by a poem by E.E. Cummings and creating a curious, almost dreamlike atmosphere.

It’s easy to see why this film was chosen for the Pride Cape Town festival. The story focuses on Victoria and explores modern issues of identity as she goes through a transition that affects those around her. Some people struggle to understand her new life, and the film shows Victoria trying to hide parts of her past to avoid conflict. Her return home, after leaving under difficult circumstances and cutting ties with many people, causes problems and confusion. However, through the challenges, old relationships are rekindled and new ones begin to form.

Both the town and Victoria herself need to learn to accept change, and the film beautifully portrays this. Screenwriter Richard Starkey drew from his own experiences with a loved one’s transition, adding a heartfelt layer to the story. The script skillfully blends humor and emotion, delivering an important message with a sophisticated and unique voice. It’s a well-written story that brings together a diverse cast of characters into a surprisingly unified whole.

The film could have easily become overly dramatic, but director Andrew Shelley skillfully weaves together the story to create a charming and enjoyable movie. The cast is strong, led by Nevada Red, who beautifully portrays Victoria with grace and determination. She subtly reveals Victoria’s reserved personality, allowing the audience to connect with her as what begins as a mission to visit her mother becomes a path to self-discovery. Clayton Evertson provides a relatable counterpoint as a compassionate local doctor struggling with his own issues. Jennifer Steyn is excellent as Victoria’s difficult mother, finding moments of humor even in the most challenging scenes and perfectly capturing the emotional depth of her character.

“I guess I have to call it home…”

Mila Guy and Danny Ross are a fun addition to the show, skillfully playing characters with many different jobs, reminiscent of the personalities from Gilmore Girls. Brendan Sean Murray and Dean Goldblum have great on-screen energy as rugby players at opposite points in their careers, bringing depth and realism to their roles. Jo-Anne Galloway powerfully portrays the tense and secretive mayor, and Marcus Muller completes the cast as a caring, contemporary father.

Filming in real locations gives the movie a genuine and charming feel, like the village is a real, lived-in place. The repeated idea of a solitary robot adds a thoughtful, realistic element to the story. Pretty How Town is surprisingly humorous, skillfully telling a story about who people are and cases of mistaken identity. The film has many strengths, so it almost feels unfair to mention its few minor flaws. However, despite being well-written and featuring strong performances, the character of Victoria feels distant, and her mysterious nature isn’t fully explained. While enjoyable, Pretty How Town feels a little lengthy and might have worked even better as a longer-form comedy-drama series.

While visually appealing, the film truly shines through its characters and how naturally the story unfolds. Shelley focuses on creating believable people and strong performances, resulting in a genuinely moving and enjoyable experience. This film, a decade in the making, is a thoughtful and well-crafted piece of work. It’s a charming and funny look at everyday life, a relatable story about relationships that’s both witty and heartwarming.

The bottom line: Disarming

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2026-02-06 18:43