| STANDER |
 2003 - Canada / Germany / South Africa / UKDirector: Bronwen Hughes
- Reviewed by Vickie
Tom Jane stars as Andre Stander, a revered captain in the Johannesburg police force during the 1970s. Renowned for his skill, Stander grows increasingly disillusioned with the racist laws he’s enforcing, and his shooting of an unarmed black man while on riot duty in a township serves as a catalyst for his dramatic shift in focus. Stander decides the best way to rebel against the system is to rob banks since, as he says in the film, the authorities are so busy watching “the blacks” that they’ll never even notice a crime committed by a white person. And, to some extent, Stander is successful, but his talent for bank heists grows even further once he’s apprehended, jailed and introduced to two fellow inmates (Dexter Fletcher, David Patrick O’Hara), who become his new partners in post-jailbreak crime. Together, they become The Stander Gang, fugitives from justice and quasi-celebrity folk heroes for their ability to elude capture while continuing to rob banks in broad daylight. One of the best things about Stander is its flawless imitation of an actual 1970s-era film. It’s set in the ‘70s, and actually looks like it was shot in that decade. It boasts great attention to detail in terms of costume, location and set design, and its township-based scenes smack of frightening realism. Even better is the fact that every actor nails the South African accent! Tom Jane, who’s achieved a modicum of fame (as Thomas Jane) sinks his teeth into this role and doesn’t let go. His commitment to the character is obvious, and the result is a terrifically full-bodied performance. Deborah Kara Unger, who co-stars as Stander’s wife, is equally strong in a somewhat limited role, and both Fletcher and O’Hara make for creepy and convincing henchmen. There isn’t a missed note among them. Stander possesses a fascinating story that plays out in a wonderfully realized fashion. It’s suspenseful, exciting and, at times, even surprisingly sad. Those who know the true story of Andre Stander will know how the film plays out. And, for those unfamiliar with the man or his life, the joy and pain of discovery is well worth the price of admission. |
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Looking at director Bronwen Hughes’ resumé (one that includes the kid
flick Harriet the Spy and the romantic comedy Forces of
Nature), one might not immediately think of her when looking for
someone to helm a gritty biopic of South Africa’s most notorious bank
robber... and yet, she does a stellar job and the resulting film is
compelling, engrossing and highly entertaining.
