The lives of four people during the struggle to establish an independent republic in Nigeria.
Half Of A Yellow Sun deserves recognition for its ambition, tenacity and intentions, even it’s not quite a full throttle experience.
Bandele’s keen handling of cast and domestic conflict makes for a nuanced historical epic, but he’s less sure on the big stuff: tedious newsreel footage punctuated by jolting explosions doesn’t, alas, quite add up to a full picture.
The drama gains some weight in the film’s latter, war-torn stages, but is finally weakened by an abrupt, dissatisfying ending.
Strongly played by all four leads, Half of a Yellow Sun is sumptuous and enjoyable, but there is just too much paint in this story for the canvas provided.
Imperfect but gripping in the right places and wise where it counts.
Bandele – betraying his theatrical roots – is overly fond of stage-like compositions and expositional dialogue, both of which prevent us getting close to the characters in any meaningful way.
The road to mediocrity is paved with good intentions and Biyi Bandele's awkward arrangement of domestic squalls, milling extras and antique newsreel footage never truly hangs together.
Unfortunately, the film is often stately and sluggish with some very daytime-soapy moments of emotional revelation.
Ejiofor's role might not be as gruelling as his turn in 12 Years a Slave but he gives a nuanced and powerful performance as another character whose certainties about his life are undermined by brute circumstance.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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