"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (2008)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Anthony Minghella

Writers (WGA):

Richard Curtis (teleplay) &
Anthony Minghella (teleplay) ...

TV Series:

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (2008)

Original Air Date:

23 March 2008 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Mystery

Plot:

A Botswanan woman starts up the country's first female-owned detective agency. Based on the series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.

Plot Keywords:

Infidelity | Cattle | Blood Transfusion | Kidnapping | Imposter

Cast

Jill Scott	...	Precious Ramotswe
Anika Noni Rose	...	Grace Makutsi
Lucian Msamati	...	JLB Matekoni
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Alice Busang (as Nikki Amuka Bird)
Desmond Dube	...	BK
Tumisho Masha	...	Lucky Sesana
Bongeka Mpongwana	...	Happy Bapetsi
David Oyelowo	...	Kremlin Busang
John Kani	...	Daddy Bapetsi
Vusi Kunene	...	Doctor Gulubane
Harriet Lenabe	...	Mma Notshi (as Harriet Manamela)
Colin Salmon	...	Note Makoti
Idris Elba	...	Charlie Gotso
Lindani Nkosi	...	Hector Lepodise
Vasco Shoba	...	Obed Ramotswe

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

UK | South Africa

Language:

Tswana | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Filming Locations:

Gaborone, Botswana

Company:

Film Afrika Worldwide

Trivia:

During the funeral service for Obed Ramotswe, Precious' father, is played by the Bishop of Gaborone, Bishop Trevor Muamba, and 'Woman Mourner #1' is played by Botswana's Minister of Health, Mme Sheila Tlou.

Soundtrack:

Re Botswana

Much better than I expected

I am a fan of the books and I have been expecting Hollywood to make a shocking mess of this for several years. The most important thing is that this is a labour of love, not a meretricious exploitation of a "pre-sold property". Thank goodness it fell into the safe hands of Anthony Minghella. A lot of things happened on screen much earlier than they happened in the books but I think that is probably justifiable - in film you have to get the main characters introduced early on. I'm not wholly happy with Mma Ramotswe's hairdresser neighbour. Mma Makutsi didn't wholly convince me but her humanity likewise takes a long time to come across in the books. I missed the wonderfully tough lady from the children's home with her fruitcake -but maybe she will come in later. The feel of the African scenery - human and physical - was, if anything, richer than my imaginative version. What about Mma Ramotswe herself? I'd say that they have more or less got her right. I didn't imagine her being quite so smiley and cheerful, but then I'm a miserable so-and-so from the high latitudes. Of course her rich inner life can't wholly come across on screen. SO GO AND READ THE BOOKS! For anyone who hasn't read the books - they are the easiest books to read on the whole planet. I thought the back-story with her dad and ex-husband Note was very nicely handled. I shall certainly continue to watch. AMS you are a genius. AM why aren't there more like you?