Material

A sensitive and funny movie - no it can't be South African, known for its blunt and slapstick, almost retarded approach to comedy.

But it is! The characters are well defined, the casting and acting by and large excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it, and left the theater feeling uplifted, happy and positive. This is why I go to movies. I loved it.

If I have any criticism, the movie lapses once or twice into sentimental "musical" moments, but these are short lived, and may even actually add to the enjoyment. Also, the movie seems a little rushed at the end, as if it ran out of time, and loose ends had to be tied up too quickly. Maybe I was enjoying it so much I didn't want it to end. But I am having to nit pick, to find negatives.

Well done to the producers, this movie makes me so proud. I sincerely hope it marks a sea change in our approach to movie-making. We have so much talent, so many excellent locations, such passionate people - like Ronnie Apteker - I'm hoping we start producing more movies like this and show the world we can do it.

This movie made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think, it made me want to see it again.

The performances are all incredibly strong, even the restrained mom, who watches her family been torn apart. Her son's love for stand-up comedy, conflicts with his conservative Dad's plans for him to take over the fabric shop in down-town Johannesburg.

The film is beautifully made. It is sensitive and insightful to Muslim tradition and to the history of the time and the area.

More than that it's an emotive, funny, clever and inspiring story about family, about choices, and about love.

I highly recommend it, and am going to see it several times!

Guys, sorry to say – You might have produced the movie but its owned by us South African's, you know that feeling: its like when we hosted the Soccer World Cup, when we won the Rugby World Cups and when the Proteas recently batted those caps black in NZ. Its a good feeling, a proud one.

I think, ask anyone who has watched the movie, describe their emotions and feelings and their response would somewhat be the same as mine.

About 7 years ago HSBC ran an advert that concluded: When was the last time you did something for the first time? Or in this case experienced something for the first time ?

For me, I watched the movie MATERIAL – I now believe we can produce premium movies and that we are blessed with actors that are so talented – for example nobody else could play Cassim other than Riaad, just like Green Goblin played by Willem Dafoe, Spiderman. And of course for the first time, a story had been told of an Indian community that was not slapstick.

Like everybody else, my expectations of SA films are low (not for lack of talent but for their leaning towards the overly emotional or slapstick.'Material' really surprises and strikes that delicate balance of being at once, thought provoking, touching and funny. Particularly noteworthy is its restraint, which prevents it from becoming clichéd and bollywood-like, making it a universal but South African story. Acting was excellent all round, the script was great and the cinematography was brilliant(Fordsburg was an equally forceful character in the film and I particularly loved the shots from within the store as the light peers in,when the store shutters are rolled up every morning, emphasizing the act as a ritual), but it was the absolutely brilliant score that stood out the most for me. Great job all round...

Cassim, his dad and mum pulled this one off very well. Great emotional and honest acting.

The storyline was well thought of and is one that anyone living in a multi-racial/multi-religious environment would gel with. The power of religion intertwined with tradition is best seen in the family drama during the wedding and when Ebrahim gets to visit the bar where his Cassim is performing.

His reaction upon being touched by the gatekeeper lady to be stamped on the hand was priceless!!

Kudos team! This is a must-watch movie.