This film, based on two very important men, is emotional and sincere but overall it is believable, every single moment is significant and told gracefully. A real life movie based is supposed to be precise without getting too much into detail - otherwise it turns boring - and so is "Goodbye Bafana", documenting 27 years in the life of this prison guard. Things and events described in the motion picture heat up gradually, the leading actors are simply outstanding so that the two hours runtime seems much shorter than it is. Haysbert is terrific, even more than Fiennes and they're both superb for their parts, with them each moment becomes increasingly more touching
'Sentiment: Neutral 😑'
The story offers great insight into the recent history of South Africa and the general attitudes of the time. This is great since it hasn't been as widely acknowledged as it should be. Personally, I thought more movies would have been made on this topic. Perhaps even one based on current attitudes and life in South Africa.The acting by many, if not all, the actors was appalling. Dennis Haysbert was OK considering there wasn't too much emotion needed for his part as the cool-headed and calm Nelson Mandela. However, everyone else just over-acted. Diane Kruger was not a good choice. And why hadn't the chief from Prettoria aged at all in the 20 years that the movie takes place in? The only reason I stayed until the end was for educational purposes only.
'Sentiment: Neutral 😑'
Bille August's work is usually calm, even if it involves people like Mandela. Although I have never been to South Africa, I have heard about that history. The protagonist of the movie is not Mandela, but someone around him. It is quite fit to describe the big historical background with a series of small things.