“Umjolo: The Gone Girl” is a local film that humorously explores the complexities of modern relationships, infidelity and personal growth.
The Netflix production, which is the first movie to premiere as part of the streamer’s first-ever film local collection, features a stellar cast of veteran actors and fresh talent.
They include Baby Cele, Meshack Mavuso, Gugu Gumede and Ntando Mncube as well as Sibongiseni Shezi, Tyson Mathonsi, Sibusisiwe Jili, Londeka Sishi, Thobeka Shangase, Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi and Tina Redman.
The addition of renowned local MC and content creator, Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi, who brings his signature blend of wit and charm to the screen as the film’s narrator, also adds a unique touch to the film.
It follows Lethu (Shezi), an event planner maestro and hopeless romantic who seems to have it all.
She is the successful owner of her own business and is surrounded by a supportive network of family and friends.
Lethu has also been dating Lucky (Mathonsi) for the past three years. She is head over heels in love with him and is elated when he proposes.
He appears to be the perfect man.He comes from a respected family and he is attentive, successful, handsome and supportive, even helping her secure a massive contract with his wealthy family, which could take her career to new heights.
Lethu comes from humble beginnings but she finally thinks that her worst days are behind her.
Her life takes a tumultuous turn when she pays her gynaecologist a visit for what she believes is a urinary tract infection and is shocked to discover that she has chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection.
She realises that the only way she could have gotten it is through intimate relations with Lucky and the only way for him to have contracted chlamydia was if he was sleeping with someone else.
She confronts him and he insists that he only cheated on her once. She initially accepts his explanation but a gut feeling tells her that he is lying, prompting her to go through his phone.
She is distraught when she discovers that he has been unfaithful to her numerous times.
This shatters the illusion of her perfect relationship and she retreats to rural KwaZulu-Natal and leans on her friends, Amanda (Shangase), Zanele (Jili) and Thoko (Sishi), (remove commas) for support.
Meanwhile, Lucky is beside himself over the heartbreak of losing Lethu. When she finally gives a chance to come clean, he admits that while she is the only person he wants to be in a relationship with, he can’t fathom a life where he only sleeps with one person.
This revelation leads Lethu on a life-changing path where is forced to reevaluate her love life, her career aspirations and the relationships with those closest to her.
But her life is thrown into further disarray when she catches Lucky in the act with someone close to her.
Lethu must now decide if their relationship is worth the challenges and if they can make it work in a world full of modern takes on relationships.
“Umjolo: The Gone Girl“, which is still among Netflix’s most-watched movies on Netflix weeks after its release, has many unique moments of comedy.
It is also full of life lessons, including the different expectations placed on men and women in relationships, age-old notions of marriage and the fragility of all kinds of relationships.
The movie does well to provide a comprehensive account of all the characters' perspectives and provides a modern dating tale that people from all walks of life will be able to resonate with.
It chronicles the heartbreak that comes with cheating as it interweaves some of the dating red flags could end in tears.
The production is also enhanced by the stellar chemistry between Shezi and Mathonsi who, through their characters, take viewers on a quirky journey of love.
Cele, Mncube and Shangase also deliver a riveting performance. The addition of Mkhwanazi as the narrator gives the film a fun twist.
Some of the interesting additions is the exploration of the Zulu culture and traditions
There are also some steamy moments of intimacy, making the movie only suitable for a mature audience.
Some of interesting additions is the exploration of the Zulu culture and traditions
Overall, “Umjolo: The Gone Girl“ is proof that no one's life is as perfect as it may seem.