At the beginning of this picture, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, because I thought the message was going to be something like, "we should excuse what this person is doing based on what it was like for him growing up." But I don't think that was the message of "Tsotsi." I hate to talk in clichés, because I think it demeans or cheapens the film, but I think this movie is one of those where "character has a life-altering experience and changes" pieces. As someone who has had a life-altering experience recently (thankfully, nothing like this), that's how I related to this person. How the main character lived was inexcusable and wrong. However, the scene at the end of the movie was powerful, because it shows both how he was able to make a transformation, but also the realism that he's going to be going to jail now.
I can see why this film has won numerous Audience Awards at film festivals. It's definitely worth a look.
I can see why this film has won numerous Audience Awards at film festivals. It's definitely worth a look.