A Review On The Movie "Half Of A Yellow Sun" Based On The Novel
Yea, I know it might look strange but who cares. I have decided to write a review on a movie based on a good novel I enjoyed every bit of while reading. Some might think that it is an old movie cause it was released in 2013, but oh yeah, people have even done reviews on movies even shot in the 90s.
So, sit back and relax as I analyze this good movie I enjoyed every bit.
Remember when I wrote if books are better than their movie adaptations?
https://peakd.com/hive-180164/@samostically/are-books-better-than-their-movie-adaptations
Well, it was because I never understood the special connections book lovers have with movie adaptations based on books they read. I used to even wonder why a couple of my female friends were so obsessed and happy when the movie news about being adapted into a movie was released, or why people felt emotional about 13 Reasons why. But this all changed after my encounter with Half of a Yellow Sun.
No matter how funny it may sound, I felt like my imagination was becoming a reality right before my very eye. You know that imaginative view of how things would build up while reading a book, the play of things that could only be seen in your mind by you and you alone, even when you try to express it to others in written words, it still couldn't be well seen the way you wanted it to be seen. This was exactly how I felt while watching Half of a Yellow Sun. It gave me this intuitive mindset that I could actually predict the outcome of things and truly understand the dynamics behind the dialogue between the characters all because I read the book and enjoyed it. Honestly, every time I spent on the movie was worth it and I am more than certain my friend who watched it with me was more amused by the storyline and build-ups.
The movie intro was quite subtle and not too demanding, it didn't begin with much but finished with groundbreaking metrics of emotions, all gushing out from the human body. Damn, you needed to see the excitement on my face knowing fully well my movie buddy for the night was also glad she watched the movie. In the beginning, the intro track from the movie that grabbed my full attention was a song by the South African Icon, Miriam Mabeka, also known as Mama Africa, a name that came about because of her remarkable contribution to civil rights. Instantly, the cinematic mode in me became active and more engaging towards the movie. How the melodic sound of the singer's voice asking a question about naughty little fleas' whereabouts got me hooked, which made it even harder for me to get my eyes off the screen.
The way Chimamanda Adichie, the author of the book, opened up her novel with scenes from the celebration of independence day for Nigeria, was the same thing the movie director, Biyi Bandele did with the movie, with the twin sisters sitting at the dining table having a conversation with the Minister of finance, sharing opinions about life, the next step to take in life and what the twin sisters are doing with their lives.
The atmosphere at the moment was meant to be a thing of celebration or a joyous occasion but that wasn't the case. The intense flicking of feelings scattering around the dining table left this immersive feeling that all individuals seated were simply making compromises for one another.
Generally from studies of literature, the novel that the movie owes its foundation to can be classified into a genre of war novels, which is what I expected from the movie. Maybe something with a dull sense of color and sad mood scaling all through the movie, with the settings, plots, and characters having something archaic and classic, which could typically be used to relate to how long ago the movie was probably set.
But Nah,
That wasn't what Chimamanda and Biyi had installed for their viewers. They both knew at the back of their minds or probably the front, that the movie had to display love, beauty in culture, and above all Africanism which is the soul of cultural diversity.
They instantly took the hills with the setting of the independence day scene, all bubbling with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and even races, everybody being in a joyous and happy mood to celebrate a day that a Nation was finally free from the control of colonizers, which is what I guess they thought was the case.
A striking point where the movie begins to interlude and a whole new storyline begins to play out is the unspeakable shooting of an officer at the airport, all because of his cultural heritage. I could say from the start of the movie, we fail to notice because of how engrossed we got from staying focused on the domestic happenings in the love story of Olanna and her revolutionary lover Odenigbo. It is only fair if I also confirm the truth that while I was reading the book and even watching the movie, I had completely forgotten the book was based on the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970 and the harsh killings of innocent souls that had no hand in starting the war in the first place. When you watch the movie or even read the book, which I strongly recommend, you get to discover how powerful words can be used to tell the story of an unpleasant incident, its cause, and above all make you feel like it only happened recently. It will even give you that innate feeling that what is happening also affects you and you just can't stay silent about it.
My final words for this novel-based movie will center on the fact that you will gain a first-class experience and understanding of how the happenings in society can also play a role in anybody's love story and even break up.
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I am @samostically,I love to talk and write about chess because i benefited alot from playing chess. sometimes i share my thoughts on life in general and i write about my love for hive!
I love to engage with others and i love communication.I believe life is all about staying happy and maintaining peace.
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Anything from Chimamanda.
Is always interesting.
I couldn't agree any less with you
Yes, Chiamamanda is great with her works!
Oh, this looks like an elite work. Anything from chimamanda is always top notch no doubt.
Yes bro. But I don't like feminism 😐
Modern feminism or feminism in general? 🤔
Your question sound feminist. I would say, I don't believe in equality of the sexes.
The male gender is a bit superior. It doesn't stop women from holding high places in the society, it just means, they have to prove it to get it.
Prove, yes. Men been superior, I don't quite agree.
I think equity is a more feasible objective. If you deserve it, you get it, not because you're a woman you get it
Uhm.. At this point, I wish there was a voice note feature
Yeah, I know that feel 🤣🤣
Type that thing sir 😅
Chimamanda is phenomenal and a dynamic writer. Love her books Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah
I read the novel years ago. When I first watched the movie, just like you pointed out, i didn't care about the war. I focused on the love story that was embedded in the story.
I like how the adaptation made everyone who watched stay glued. I am sure if the love scenes weren't there, it wouldn't be so interesting for me.
Hehehehe, I love those scenes. But no good sex scenes lol
Let me not lie, I watched those scenes more than once😂
I never knew of the movie tbh. Even if I am not that into movies lately I ought to have at least heard of it. From your analysis, it seems like a worthy watch. Would watch it some day.
Ive read half a yellow sun 3 times! It is one of the greatest book ever, it exposed me to alot of things. I'm yet to see the movie but I know it would be as interesting as you illustrated.
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I had no idea this movie existed (so thank you for that) and although I've read a few essays form Chimamanda I haven't read any of her novels but now I want to do it sooner than I pretended. Great review. Greetings.
Greetings to you too. Happy you've heard about the name. She's indeed popular. Let me know when you finally read one.