The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

Overall, I thought it was great! Last night, the BBC had the Number one ladies detective agency; a film adaptation of Alexander Mcall Smith's novel and i would like to believe it was a success...barring a few problems. Yes some of the actors struggled with the accent, some scenes were conveyed in an awkward manner and some performances were stilted, however, the movie left you with the lovely feeling of a feel-good movie....set in any part of the world. I particularly liked how simple the stories were with their subtle references to daily problems in Africa. Daily is the key word. The reference to people in Africa living basic lives and doing normal things was the highlight for me, a situation i believe would not go down well with the average British viewer. Sam Wollaston reflects this in his review of the movie, sentiments we see across the media (see the Times and so on...). It was not news when most friends i asked about it had either not seen it or were watching something else. It is a bit difficult being confronted with an Africa that isn't wracked with AIDS or howling for help. This episode emphasises the imperative for effective communiction of Africa to the world, o when will we learn?
Back the film, the performances that were top notch were by Lucian Msmati and the devine Nikki Amuka-Bird, whom i had never seen looking so fierce! Usually when she's on the telly, its in some rag tag costume with dodgy make up (re: torchwood) but here, she was sophisticated, well dressed and beautiful! The acting i have to say was brilliant! The scene stealer for me was Idris Elba who played Charlie Kgotso. Powerful, charming and danm fine! I will be honest to admit that Anika Noni Rose and Lady Jill didn't do it for me, however, the story charmed away their akwardness. I dare not forget the gorgeous Bongeka Mpongwana who played Happy Bepetsi...stunning, graceful, brilliant!
It is ironic that professionals in the media whose sole purpose it is to inform betray outright ignorance on the subject of the African continent when confronted with the task. This is what Chimamanda Adichie aludes to when she argues that Africans should tell the story of Africa and not the blonde Westerner who claims to the 'African expert'. It is therefore a shame that the No.1 ladies detective agency is dismissed by these so called experts as a fictional account of the true Africa, existing within Alexander Mccall Smith' head. The truth is i know and appreciate the validity of these representations as would most Nigerian viewers of the programme, the question is, what are we going to do about it?