Umjolo: My Beginning My End Review: RomCom That Makes You Go WTF!

The third of the South African rom-com anthology, Netflix’s Umjolo: My Beginning, My End review is here to let you know everything important before you tune on to this film. The plot follows a young woman who is caught between her upcoming wedding and the love connection she shares with a charming saxophonist, that makes her question everything in life. Another addition to this anthology, this film brings back those South African vibes with a free-spirited woman who is sure to get what she wants.

-No Spoilers-

Umjolo: My Beginning My End Review

The plot of the movie follows Mayi who forms an instant connection with Zweli on her 30th birthday, and it is a connection that they both cannot let go of. However, things aren’t as easy because Mayi is already engaged to someone else whose family owns a big company. On one side she would get a secure future while on the other is a man she cannot help but love, so what will her choice be at last?

The plot of the film may seem very predictable but is something that we’ve seen many times in films like Dirty Dancing, Say Anything and others. While it falls along those lines, the film shows something more than just the bride or groom running away while standing on the aisle. It holds a unique perspective of the whole scenario that goes beyond the conflicting emotions faced by the two characters who have fallen in love with each other.

While they are aware of what is happening, what really makes this interesting is how Mayi finds freedom from all that she is facing in Zweli. She is no longer the Mayi who is marrying into a rich family and has to hold herself back when facing her very demanding mother-in-law, she is Mayi who can be reckless and follow her heart. We have to settle this down the film is far away from being realistic and is truly very ideal when it comes to love. So debating with logic in mind with this film is a big no.

Also Read: Umjolo: The Gone Girl Review: A Predictable Rom-Com With a Regular Plot

Now, the reason why I went WTF when the film ends is due to its abruptness. Everything went (almost) smooth, and seemed acceptable to some point, but the end had me flipping. Not because of Mayi’s obvious choice or how she runs away from everything but because I’m also comparing this film to the others in this series. Lethu ended the first film dancing her heart out (which might I add is at Mayi’s wedding) and Zenele also stands up for herself and accepts being a single parent in the second film, but this film ruins it for me somehow.

I’m not even being realistic here but just that the flow feels somewhat disrupted for me with this movie and I’m finding it hard to accept the way this film unfolds. Meanwhile, I have to point out that the Umjolo series needs to have another set of films which give a better ending to the guys who are being left behind with broken hearts in these films. They really deserve better endings.

Moving on to the cinematography, I have to say it was just as smooth as the other films which makes me feel better about this film. The story unfolds in a smooth manner and is not disrupted by anything. You can see that Mayi’s negativity about this wedding doesn’t just come from her feelings for Zweli but also from the atmosphere created by her mother-in-law. Her emotions are clearly visible on her face and these show that there is more to her character that is making her repulsive towards the wedding other than Zweli.

Also Read: Umjolo: Day Ones Review: One Man’s Mess for Three to Clean

I would have liked it if the film showed more of Mayi’s character than just focusing on the sudden connection she’s formed with Zweli. On the other side, I have noticed how these films go against tradition in their own way. Be it accepting a man cheating on his wife, marrying someone who is of a different skin colour, or, in this case, marrying your dead brother’s wife. These traditions are somewhere broken and we get to see the changes brought about by the younger generation which again, has been quite interesting to watch.

Altogether, this film was an okay watch but not something that I’ve enjoyed as much as the other films in this anthology.

Summing Up

Umjolo: My Beginning, My End brings a plot that you’ve already seen a few times and while it does have some interesting and unique aspects to it, the ending could’ve been better. It’s an alright watch but not something to make time for specifically.

Watch Umjolo: My Beginning, My End on Netflix.

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