Tears of Womanhood

-Originality: [0 out of 5] We really need to stop thieving. The movie “Tears of Womanhood” except for some dance scenes here and there and some other random scenes is an exact line for line, word for word, scene for scene replica of Karan Johar’s 2001 movie “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” (Sometimes there’s happiness, sometimes there’s sadness) starring Bollywood Legends: Amitabh Bachchan (played by Psalm Adjetefio in Ghanaian version), Jaya Bachchan(played by Nana Hayford), Shahrukh Khan(Eddie Nartey), Kajol Devgan (Jackie Appiah), Hrithik Roshan (Majid Michel), Kareena Kapoor (Yvonne Nelson), Farida Jalal (Kalsum Sinare) and Rani Mukherjee (Ingrid Alabi).

-Predictability: [2 out of 5] If you’ve seen the Bollywood version then this movie becomes entirely predictable. Otherwise, it might seem new but the end is still a given one way or the other.

-Directing/Editing: [3 out of 5] The fact that Frank could condense this movie into four parts, save some unnecessary scenes, is a skill which he should be applauded for because I bet you other African directors would have made this a 6 part movie.

-Acting quality: [3 out of 5] In the casting and comparing it with the Bollywood version I really only agree with the casting of Majid for Hrithik, Kalsum for Farida and Nana for Jaya. Nana did an amazing job with her rendition of the role. You truly feel the mother’s pain from the looks in her eyes. Psalm Adjetefio for Amit-ji, was a bit far fetched but then again… he really is the only Ghanaian lead I can see in that role. I wouldn’t take Kofi Adjorlolo seriously if he was given that role, come to think of it. Majid comes in really in part 2 of this movie and the rumors of him speaking too fast for anyone to grasp is really felt in this movie. He needs to slow down from time to time. Kalsum did a pretty good job in this movie in my opinion considering that she wasn’t forcing it as much as she usually does. Speaking of forcing, Jackie o dear Appiah! (that speech scene would have been beyond hilarious to me in a real life scenario)Granted this is probably one of her best work for a Venus Productions Film but yet there was still that ‘forced’ feel to it. Eddie Nartey did a great job in his rendition (He still ain’t no SRK). I was glad to see him in a non-detective role for once. Why do they keep on casting Yvonne Nelson for Kareena Kapoor roles? I don’t get it… now I can’t see a Kareena movie without trying to see Yvonne in the Ghanaian version of the film (which was really awkward for me watching ‘Kurbaan’ – look it up). However, I don’t feel like they challenge Yvonne much with her roles. She seems to be playing way too many Princess Tyra-ish roles. I am of the opinion that Ingrid is not that amazing of an actress. She is pretty close to Biola Ige in my books and as such, they should have cast Nadia Buari in her role. I mean if you are going to have a guest appearance in a movie of such great importance you might as well use someone popular (I’m probably only sayin gthis because Nadia is the only Ghanaian actress that looks in the least bit like a Rani Mukherjee).

-Setting: [3 out of 5] Probably one of Frank’s least spectacular settings (the irony really is that this is the movie that should have had most of the fanfare extraordinaire) and I didn’t like the set of Psalm’s character’s birthday… it seemed too low class for a man of such high standards and taste.

-Costume/Make-Up: [4 out of 5] No problems with the costumes in this movie. Hmm… Jackie again with these her contacts (she also had contacts in “The King is Mine“)… it is well. 

-Video Quality: [2 out of 5] I did not agree with much of the lighting in this movie

-Soundtrack: [4 out of 5] Amazing work by the one and only

-Musical Score: [3 out of 5] Nicely done