The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Over the last few months, what we have seen of Africans (mainly Kenyans and occasionally Zimbabweans) on the BBC have been people in extreme situations. The images have either been of people dying or dead, people running away from vigilante groups or the police, people demonstrating or people (and especially and worryingly, children) looting and burning. Sometimes the images have been of people doing all the above, all at the same time.
Watching the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency based in Botswana on the BBC the other night was a relief as the story featured Africans getting on with their daily lives. Fancy that. The drama/comedy, gentle and funny, featured the utterly lovely Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe, the detective and was lovingly directed by Anthony Minghella who unfortunately died a few weeks ago.
Credit must also go to the cinematographer who managed to capture the heat, dust, bright, vivid colours and the complex beauty of Africa. It was almost possible to taste this dust and feel the heat in far away (and wintry) London.
The story dealt with difficult issues including domestic violence and superstition from Mma Ramotswe’s point of view and here, the issue was all about Jill Scott’s amazing talent and the strength she brought to the character. Jill Scott had the Botswanian accent down to perfection and looked the part (being of ‘traditional build’). She was authentic and everything focused around her (the camera certainly loves her).
My only gripe was Jill Scott only sung once. She should have sung around the house, while driving, etc. Any excuse to hear Jill Scott sing.
15 comments
The third or summin time i am reading about this drama movie. And all the bloggers have sung high praises for it save for one who claimed Jill’s accent was South African.
Perhaps i should get me mitts on the movie since i love Jill Scott to stalker levels, something for the collection? She does look fabulous in that picture too.
Nice blog you have here.
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Hi 31337, I think you ought to see the movie – then we can read what you thought. I thought Jill Scott’s accent was very good and she certainly sounded like someone from Botswana to me.
Thanks for stopping by and your blog is very good too!
I had a comment in here someplace. Must have been chewed. Nice blog. Will be back anyhow. Bananage! That comment was for world cup! ?-)
I concur! What a lovely adaptation.
I am a HUGE fan of the Alexander McCall’s books on Mma Ramotswe…..his writing style reminds me of the ‘Afrcan/Kenyan’ stories I grew up on. And yes – why didn’t Jill Scott sing?
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Hey Kabura, I am glad you enjoyed the programme too. I can still see the beautiful and vivid colours in my mind, especially when I step outside and it is all grey and cold in London
Wow! I am trembling with excitement. I can’t wait to see that! The African landscape is just dyeing to be put on film when combined with the color of African skin (the yellows, the browns etc). That movie must be watched soon and very soon. Maximum props to Jill Scott, the Botswana government, BBC and everyone for making the next movie I must see- oh and of course huge thanks to you for informing me about the movie.
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I am sure you will certainly enjoy the movie/programme, Mwangi. I am sure you will be able to watch it soon on Australian TV – i think I read something somewhere – will try and dig up the link for you.
The only concern regarding the seris (in your other comment) is who they will use for the actors. I am not sure whether they will use the same. Anyway, we shall await and see.
My bad! I didn’t realize that it was a series.
I loved it too. Seems petty to nit-pick on accents, South African, Botswanan!? I think Jill did a brilliant job!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved Kremlin!!! He killed me!
And I must say, I though Anika Noni Rose stole the show as Mma Makutsi!
Brilliant watch!
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Hey Ms. K, glad to see you back! I totally agree with you on accents – Jill Scott was just excellent. There is a programme the chap acting as Kremlin appears in here in the UK called Spooks about the secret service or some such. David Oyelowo, the actor, always looks so serious and solemn and it was great to see him do some comedy. I thought he was great too. I also loved Anika Noni Rose, I thought the scenes with Jill Scott were very touching especially the one where they were talking about payment.
So nice of you to stop by.
Forgive typos!
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No worries, Ms. K!
Mshairi
I truly enjoyed the movie, especially after the poor offerings from TV land lately. I laughed and cried (etc). Oh the language, the manners, the leisurely pace, the laughter, the beauty and pain. Now that is a good movie.
Wasn’t it great to see the real Africa? Not poor, deprived, dying, begging continent. No starving and naked children, but the reality of our lives in Africa.
I missed the first five minutes of the movie and therefore did not know who was who, and as I am so up to date on stuff nowadays, I did not know who Jill is. She just felt right for the role especially as she was built in the “more traditional style”. Imagine my surprise when I realised that both her and Anika were not Africans!!!
I tried to read books by this author but we did not click.
Nice review.
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Thanks for stopping by, Uaridi. I totally agree with your points above!
Mshairi
Talking of accents BBC Radio 4 had this on for 4 weeks and a main character had a distinct West African accent but it did not detract from enjoying the series of the Ladies Detective agency, would you believe it never read the books but enjoyed the radio series anyway. I tell you southern African accents are the same or rather sound similar and if one wants to nit-pick on accents they can nit pick. But Jill Scott is a beautiful woman and can act and sing. Sad though about Anthony Mingella, he died on the day or day after of the premiere.
Love and kisses and goodnight now
Nyaks
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Hey Nyaks, it would have been fun to listen to the series on radio. I thought of you a lot when watching the programme as Botswana, at times looked like how parts of Namibia would look like. I cant wait for you to see it to compare and contrast. Yeah, a great shame about Anthony Minghella – he died the week before the premiere.
Thanks for dropping by and greetings to all at Mariental.
I was beginning to float but thanks to youtube I can now relate to this post.
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It would be great to read your thoughts after watching the film, Bomseh
Can anyone tell me how i can get hold of this movie or where i can watch it i believe it was on bbc 1 and i missed it.
I like detective movies, especially where the detective is female. I’ve only just heard about this movie and I’d love to see it. after finding the book in my local library. Does anyone know whether it’s available on video?
Btw, I enjoyed reading your review – hope to stop by again.
Chichi
African Women Connect
I (finally) discovered this series over the summer, LOVED these books, and wrote about them in my blog about books, Suko’s Notebook–I am so eager now to see the movie! How can I get it in the U.S.?
[...] forward to the next instalment of the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency this Sunday. The pilot was great fun. Jill Scott was [...]
Just saw the series and am writing HBO and BBC for more. It was excellent and just as you described it. Its a welcome change to see a strong female of color and more so the culture, landscape, and the respect. We LOVED it!
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