RATING: A

Netflix presents a Rous House production. Directed by Joshua Rous. Produced by Luke Rous and Tumelo Mmatladi. Written by Gillian Breslin; story by Carine Rous, Joshua Rous, Luke Rous, and Meren Reddy. Cinematography by Tom Marais. Edited by Brett MacDonald.

Stars Carine Rous, Bouwer Bosch, Armand Aucamp, Laura Lee Mostert, Hanli Rolfes, Lisa Tredoux, Terence Bridgett, Tobie Cronje, Woutrine Theron, and Mila-Sofi Clasen.

Unexpected love is in the air in this funny Afrikaans comedy starring some of the country’s top talents.

As a child, Lienkie Koekemoer has always dreamed of now just becoming a bride, but a Bride of the Year, a major competition in South Africa. However, just when her dream wedding is about to happen, she learns her fiancé, Zander Prinsloo, has been cheating on her with his assistant Johannika, much to the delight of his overbearing mother Norma, a former competitor who lost the competition years ago.

Heartbroken, she is shocked to learn that her credit card was stolen after a drunken night and confronts the thief, con man Frank. Still angry over Zander, she hatches a plan to get revenge by deciding to win Bride of the Year, but she has a month to find a new husband. She decides on Frank, who agrees if it means getting out of jail. As the two hatch the plan and work together, the unexpected slowly begins to happen and both begin to question if they are still faking it or if something really is happening. Nevertheless, Lienkie is determined to become Bride of the Year.

South African comedies definitely don’t get enough love outside its country. But there is something so fun and witty about most of them that while certain films may not be hits there, they should get some international acclaim for an understanding of their sense of humor. This new film, debuting on Netlix today, is a funny unexpected romantic comedy that may have some predictability to things, but it is the chemistry that makes the film work with supporting characters who are either hilarious themselves or play it so good as villains.

Carine Rous, who came up with the story in a family effort with Luke,  and director Joshua Rous, along with Meren Reddy, is excellent as Lienkie, who we learn lived in an orphanage and has grown up to be the owner of her own bakery, specializing in wedding cakes. She dreams of being a bride and after a decade with the same man, the day comes, or so she thought. After seeing him in the fantastic Netflix series Tuiskoms, Armand Aucamp proves he can play both sides of the spectrum as in this film, he is one of the main antagonists, her cheating fiancée and nouveau-riche mama’s boy Zander Prinsloo. His mother Norma, played by Hanli Rolfes, is the typical rich “witch with a ‘b’” who lost her chance and has to live vicariously through her son and his mistress to get the Bride of the Year award.

Comedian and singer Bouwer Bosch is aces here as Frank, a con man who after getting busted gets a chance at redemption. He may be somewhat of a thief, but we also see he has a heart of gold and Lienkie begins to see the good in him when he tends to elderly couple Albie and Tienie. Albie, played by Tobie Cronje, is hilarious as the “old sage” who can bust a move like he’s in his 20s while Woutrine Theron’s Tienie clearly has feelings for the old man and is a great counterpart with both seeing Frank as the son they always wanted.

The highlight is the slow developing chemistry between Rous and Bosch as they start out somewhat at odds with a sense of respect. That is until, Lienkie sees how much of a fun guy Frank is when they attend a local hoedown at a pub. This is of importance because it becomes a bit of a running gag that proves vital in the final act, where it does get predictable but will still make you want to root for something to finally happen.

Bride of the Year may be a predictable romantic comedy, but it’s a fun one especially because of its South African setting and fantastic acting, especially Carine Rous and Bouwer Bosch as their chemistry drives the film. Definitely one to check out today!