Film Adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun is Epic and Striking, Says Movie Critic

September 10, 2013

Biyi Bandele’s adaptation of Adichie’s award winning novel had its world premier at the Toronto International Film Festival a few days ago. As more and more reviews trickle in, we’ll get a well-rounded sense of how good the film is.

Check out one of the first reviews:

The Good:

…The sheer scope of its story is absorbing and fans of the book will enjoy its vision of a tense and changing country rent asunder by tribal feuds.

Powerful and moving performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave), Thandie Newton (The Pursuit of Happyness) and Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls).”

Half Of A YellowSun [film] is at its best when it comes to design, costumes and make-up to reflect the changing nature post-colonial Nigeria, and while it does feel a little bit soap opera at times, nothing can be taken away from the intensity of the drama or the strength of lead performances.

“Adichie’s sprawling and complex story is shrewdly adapted by Biyi Bandele.”

…”the era is wonderfully captured, with special attention paid to how the apartments are designed and what clothes the two sisters wear.

The Bad:

“[The film] lapses into melodrama at times.”

The Cast:

“[Thandie Newton’s] vibrancy adds much to the part of a woman who accepts everything to sustain her love, while Anika Noni Rose is wonderfully sarcastic and stylish as Kainene.”

Add to the pot the ever-impressive Chiwetel Ejiofor; Onyeka Onwenu as his strident mother and John Boyega (who starred in British fantasy romp Attack The Block) as the servant boy who works for Olanna and Odenigbo, and you have a well acted film that sustains interest.

See full review at Screendaily.com