JEANNE’S REVIEW

A charged and untamed performance by then seven-year-old Lexi Venter is the cornerstone of DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT, based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name. Adapted and directed by Embeth Davidtz, who was born in America and raised in South Africa, she also stars as Nicola Fuller, Bobo’s (Venter) unstable mother.

The Fullers, Nicola, Tim (Rob Van Vuuren), the father, and their two daughters, Vanessa (Anina Hope Reed), and Bobo, along with a menagerie of animals, reside on a farm in Rhodesia, which is now Zimbabwe. The Bush War has been ongoing during 1979/1980, and with a new election, it appears to be coming to an end. But the election results were not what the Fullers and other White people had hoped, making their future there more perilous.

With Tim away with the army, Bobo is left mostly on her own, as her mother spends her nights drinking and her days sleeping --- or working at the local police station. Their housekeeper, Sarah (Zikhona Bali), tries to rein Bobo in, but it’s much like herding cats. Bobo is headstrong, opinionated, curious and self-reliant at the ripe old age of eight. Vanessa wants little to do with her --- she just wants to get back to school.

Bobo occupies her time exploring with her dogs and driving Sarah crazy with a multitude of questions. But they are devoted to one another, so much so that Jacob (Fumani N Shilubana), another local who works for the Fullers, is afraid for Sarah because of her close relationship with Bobo. There is a great deal of racial tension and violence because of the war, and Bobo is torn between the two worlds --- her family’s and Sarah’s.

Davidtz is the perfect person to bring DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT to life on the silver screen. Her upbringing in South Africa had some similarities to Bobo’s, specifically a family replete with alcoholism and mental illness, and a country wracked with racial violence. Her decision to shift the narrative to Bobo’s point of view is extremely effective, allowing the audience to experience her love for the land and its inhabitants.

To write that Venter is a force of nature is an understatement. Davidtz has stated that she wanted a child who is feral to play Bobo, and she got exactly that. Venter is unabashed --- and adorable --- which makes her portrayal even more amazing and captivating. You simply cannot look away when she’s on screen.

Davidtz, who is known for her role as Helen Hirsch in SCHINDLER’S LIST among many others, gives a provocative and authentic performance as Nicola. It was paramount to her to show that “love and transformation” are possible “despite the heartbreak of war and racism”. And Bali is mesmerizing as Sarah. She and Venter render the love between Sarah and Bobo so beautifully --- it’s heart wrenching.

Though DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT does lag occasionally, at 1:38 it’s not too long, which is always welcome these days. It’s a wonderful accomplishment for Davidtz, her cast and crew.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!

   DAVID’S REVIEW

This movie, directed and starring Embeth Davidtz who wrote her screenplay from Alexandra Fuller’s New York Times bestselling memoir, proves that elections have consequences. This politically charged story takes place in what was once Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the 1979/1980 era.

DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT represents Davidtz’ debut as a director, and her most astonishing achievement here is the development and debut performance of an eight-year-old actress named Lexi Venter. Ms. Venter, a pixie with a constantly begrimed face, is in practically every scene, and usually in close-up. Her character is named Bobo Fuller, and although she’s only eight, her demeanor suggests a much older girl, especially since she tools around on a motor scooter.

Bobo struggles with her family’s racist attitude towards Black people even as she herself is very fond of the family’s Black servants, Sarah (Zikhona Balia) and Jacob (Funamni Shilubana). Her alcoholic mother Nicola, played by Davidtz, sleeps with a firearm to protect against possible attacks by the minority.

The story echoes at least part of Davidtz’s life growing up in South Africa, although she was born in Indiana. It’s not a film that would necessarily be called entertaining, but it’s worth it to see Lexi Venter in an incredible performance.

Opinion: Mild See It Now!