Job Seda Movies
- 1987
- PG13
In the vernacular of Kenyan whites of the 1950s, a "kitchen toto" was a native black servant. One such "toto" is 12-year-old Mwangi (Edwin Mahinda). The son of a black clergyman who has been slain by Mau Mau for his moderate beliefs, Mwangi is taken into the household of British police-chief Bob Peck. Torn between two cultures, Mwangi finds himself in a position to rescue his white protectors from insurgent Mau Maus, who are pressing for Kenyan independence-just as the boy's father had. The "no easy answers" climax is one that can't be revealed here. Kitchen Toto was the first directorial effort of Harry Hook, a Kenyan native and British National Film and Television School grad who was just about Mwangi's age when the events depicted in this film occurred. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Peck, Phyllis Logan, (more)
Out of Africa is drawn from the life and writings of Danish author Isak Dinesen, who during the time that the film's events occured was known by her married name, Karen Blixen-Flecke. For convenience's sake, Karen (Meryl Streep) has married Baron Bor Blixen-Flecke (Klaus Maria Brandauer). In 1914, the Baron moves himself and his wife to a plantation in Nairobi, then leaves Karen to her own devices as he returns to his womanizing and drinking. Soon, Karen has fallen in love with charming white hunter Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), who prefers a no-strings relationship. A woman who prides herself on her independence, Blixen finds herself unhappily in thrall to a aloof man -- and doubly unhappy for living out such a cliché situation. Although Redford received a lion's share of criticism for his too-American performance, Streep has rarely been better, and the film's perfectly measured pace is offset by David Watkin's stunning location photography. The movie was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 7, including Best Picture, Best Director for Sydney Pollack, Best Adapted Screenplay for Kurt Luedtke, and Best Cinematography for Watkin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, (more)
