Goodbye Bafana Film Review

1. In general, what did you like and dislike about the movie?

What I liked the most about the film Goodbye Bafana was probably the new perspective it gives us to get to know the south african apartheid, since the story is told through a white protagonist. While it seems obvious that the relationship between James Gregory and Nelson Mandela was overdone to create a bigger cinematographic impact, I thought the bond between the two is a pretty good way to showcase the part of white South Africa that actually supported Mandela and his quest to end the apartheid once and for all. A detail I especially liked was the parallel made between the deaths of Mandela and Gregory's sons, since it shows really clearly the governmental oppression that came with showing a supportive attitude towards public figures or ideas against white supremacy.

Something I disliked about the movie was that it seemed a bit rushed at parts and the flashbacks from Gregory's childhood weren't properly achieved in my opinion, because they didn't move me or make emotional at all. Obviously, the fact that the guard's biography has been heavily questioned and that we can't fully trust the movie's plot is a huge disadvantage.

2. Who was the character you liked the most and the character you liked the least in the film? Why?

I think my favorite characters throughtout the movie were Gregory's children, especially when they were really young, because even though their parents were strong supporters of the apartheid and didn't care for Nelson Mandela or the ANC, the kids questioned them and showed constant care for colored citizens who were unfairly mistreated and terrorized in their own country.
They are quite literally the reason Gregory decides to stop supporting the apartheid and try to help Mandela the best way he can while being a guard at jail, since once Nelson's son dies James relates to him and feels for his loss because he himslef is a father of two.

The character I disliked the most was James Gregory, not because of his personality but because of the way he's portrayed in the movie as a victim when he's actually in a very privileged situation.
 Of course I felt for him when his son died and I also understood to some extent the fact that he didn't question the apartheid at first, but generally I couldn't relate to the character and didn't feel emotionally connected to his struggle.

3. How do the versions of James Gregory, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela compare between Goodbye Bafana and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom?

James Gregory in Long Walk to Freedom didn't even have a secondary role, he was simply shown as the guard who had the best relationship with Nelson Mandela and was always respectful towards him unlike others, but that was it. As we know, in Goodbye Bafana his bond with Mandela is exacerbated to an extent where it just doesn't feel very genuine. I personally liked the way Long Walk to Freedom portrayed him, since it's probably the closest version to real life.

Nelson Mandela's life history and personality were a lot more developed in Long Walk to Freedom, which only makes sense since the movie was based on his own autobiography, but his character in Goodbye Bafana was a lot more connected to his african roots and fight with the ANC as we get to know from his conversations with Gregory. Also, in the second movie he's a lot more supportive of the armed struggle and never talks about peace as long as the government stops the apartheid.

Winnie Mandela's character practically didn't exist in Goodbye Bafana, she was only shown the times she visited Nelson at jail and when she gives Gregory a chocolate to give her husband as a Christmas present. After seeing her as such a strong pressence in Mandela's life and the south african people's struggle in Long Walk to Freedom, Goodbye Bafana left me wanting a lot more from her, but I guess Gregory cared more about Mandela himself instead of what was going on in his personal life.