A hilarious and whacky comedy it says a lot. This movie is a cult classic and belongs with "Harold and Maude" and "King of Hearts" in this category.
In its own crazy way it tells us all kinds of things about people, simple and complicated, the way life might be, and, indeed, the way it is. Clearly Jamie Uys is a genius, to put such disparate material together in such a complex crazy plot, and have it all make sense.
People looking for technical accuracy will not like this movie. It is not at all realistic in that sense. And while the movie is largely a series of clichés - it works.
For example in the scene where (the clumsy) Steyn takes off to the schoolhouse to try to apologize to Ms. Thompson and (bring back her shoes) - His companion gives him this advice:
"... You gotta smile, man, and tell her she looks good"
Steyn: How come suddenly you're an expert on women?
Companion: I got 7 wives - how many you got?
Steyn: So what have you done with your 7 wives?
Companion: I know how to marry them; nobody knows how to live with them
Steyn: So why did you marry them?
Companion: Shee Shee! Someday I have to tell you the facts of life"
AND . . . the biggest cliché in the movie: "I don't want to talk about it."
****
"The Gods Must be Crazy" is a sweet, charming and hilarious movie it took me 20 years to get to see it, and am I glad I did. This is one I will add to my collection of the movies already mentioned.
In its own crazy way it tells us all kinds of things about people, simple and complicated, the way life might be, and, indeed, the way it is. Clearly Jamie Uys is a genius, to put such disparate material together in such a complex crazy plot, and have it all make sense.
People looking for technical accuracy will not like this movie. It is not at all realistic in that sense. And while the movie is largely a series of clichés - it works.
For example in the scene where (the clumsy) Steyn takes off to the schoolhouse to try to apologize to Ms. Thompson and (bring back her shoes) - His companion gives him this advice:
"... You gotta smile, man, and tell her she looks good"
Steyn: How come suddenly you're an expert on women?
Companion: I got 7 wives - how many you got?
Steyn: So what have you done with your 7 wives?
Companion: I know how to marry them; nobody knows how to live with them
Steyn: So why did you marry them?
Companion: Shee Shee! Someday I have to tell you the facts of life"
AND . . . the biggest cliché in the movie: "I don't want to talk about it."
****
"The Gods Must be Crazy" is a sweet, charming and hilarious movie it took me 20 years to get to see it, and am I glad I did. This is one I will add to my collection of the movies already mentioned.