Number 37

Number 37 was everything I could hope for in an action film and more. Not only was the film extremely intense with its violent scenes, but the story line was something that really drew me in as a viewer. The film takes you into the crazy life of a paraplegic man named Randal who owes money to a dangerous loan shark and must quickly pay him off or his life is at stake. In the meantime, Randal sees a murder take place through his apartment window and tries to blackmail the killers to accumulate the money he needs and start a new chapter of his life debt and worry free. It’s harder than Randal expects to execute this plan and he ends up in some life-threatening confrontations. Number 37 will have you at the edge of your seat in fear and anticipation for what’s to come of Randal’s actions. This film is one of my new favorite action films and I’d highly recommend watching it for yourself and seeing if you agree.

Despite the subtitles, Number 37 gripped my attention through its intensity and suspense, as it amazingly reflects Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window. The film not only includes great character development, but also integrates a key idea of personal gain at the expense of others. Randal (Irshaad Ally) entangles himself and his girlfriend Pam (Monique Rockman) in the life-threatening involvement of crime bosses and gangs. Now handicapped due to previous criminal affairs, Randal must find a way to disassociate himself and save his own life, to which his actions might hurt others, all from the seat of his wheelchair. His moral and quick decisions escalate thorughout the film, engrossing me into the character and story. I highly suggest this film, as it truly captured my focus with anticipation and excitement.

Number 37 is a heart-racing and fast-paced movie that is sure to keep you leaning forward on the edge of your seat the entire time! It sure did for me. If you like suspenseful movies focusing on criminal activity, deception, and police corruption all taking place in the hood, then Number 37 hits the nail right on the head. Number 37 is about a paralyzed man in a wheelchair, Randal (played by Irshaad Ally), who witnesses the murder of a dirty cop from his apartment window and then tries to blackmail the extremely violent and psychopathic criminal who committed the murder. Randal must safely blackmail his drug dealing neighbor out of $100,000 in order to pay back another separate drug dealer if he wants to live and keep his long-time girlfriend alive too. Number 37 takes an interesting focus on the power dynamic between Pam and Randal. Aside from the graphic bloody scenes and shootouts, the movie does a tremendous job on subtlety highlighting the gender power dynamic between the men and the women in this movie. The director (Nosipho Dumisa) almost secretly, highlights what life is like for the women in these life circumstances and why they continuously, against their better judgment, decide to stay with their men even though they are miserable, terrified and defeated. Number 37 does more than just focus on the murders and violence; it delves a level deeper to expose the true injustices and tragedies of gender power-dynamics.

Number 37 is a highly emotional and intense film. It portrays a paraplegic man, Randal, who is trapped in his South African apartment. When he is given a pair of binoculars, he spends most of his time observing his neighbors. After he witnesses a murder, he begins to blackmail the killers to pay off his debt. Since he is in a wheelchair, he sends his girlfriend to get the money. The scene where she goes to get the money is extremely intense. Violent, well executed film.

Nosipho Dumisa has grown into her role as writer-director, where she masterfully heightens tension in her latest piece Number 37. Dumisa leaves breadcrumbs of the plot that you naively take where by the end of the movie, your crumbs don’t lead you anywhere near how Number 37 ends, but you’re more than okay with that. Dumisa leads us on as an audience, Number 37 is never what you expect it to be. Nosipho Dumisa makes being deceived entertaining, and not many writer-directors can entice an audience in that way. If you’re looking for something refreshing, give Number 37 a go.

Lots of emotions and feelings following watching Number 37, but I think the overwhelming feeling going through my head and body is that a 200-pound concrete block was just thrown at me. The ending was honestly brutal and intense and graphic but also inspiring all at the same time. This South African based film touches on heavy subjects like police corruption and criminal activity within a town that doesn’t have the infrastructure that we’re used to in the United States. We take things like safety and our well-being for granted sometimes. I think film is important for others to see, to open their eyes, and make them appreciate the world around them a little more. I highly recommend it.

Number 37 is a brilliantly executed film and is one of the best thrillers I have seen in a while. It tells the story of Randal, a low-level criminal recently crippled by an injury sustained in an illicit deal gone wrong. Wheelchair-bound and cooped up in his apartment in a rough Cape Town neighborhood, with no one to support him except his devoted girlfriend Pam, Randal is heavily indebted to his former gang mate and sociopathic loan-shark, Emmie. With no way of paying the money back, he despairs for himself and Pam as Emmie violently demonstrates what will happen if Randal doesn't settle his debt before the end of the week. The film features some great acting from both Ally and Rockman who give very emotive performances. My favorite part of the film was the relationship between Ally and Rockman which I thought was very convincing. I recommend this film to Hitchcock fans for the way it transplants the premise of “Rear Window” in a contemporary setting.

A perfect introduction into the world of foreign cinema! Number 37 is gripping, heart-racing, and easy to follow. Newcomers to the foreign cinema industry will find comfort in familiar American filmmaking techniques, but will still enjoy a fresh style that has a distinct South African flare. Director Nosipho Dumisa does a brilliant job in blending the two together in this exhilarating take on the Hitchcockian classic Rear Window, accentuating every dramatic note with well-paced suspense to create an engaging work of cinema!

Number 37 follows Randal, who delves deeper and deeper into chaos when he witnesses a mob killing and attempts to blackmail the killer. It is deeply intense and engrossing that I could never even attempt to figure out what was going to happen next. I love that this film is an homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, but it is truly its own piece of work. In the way Rear Window does, Number 37 takes place in a single location. It’s really neat that all the wild action and suspense happen in the same place without taking anything away from the film. The performances in the film are spectacular, particularly from Irshaad Ally and Monique Rockman. They really bring out the emotional stakes of the film and keep you rooted in your investment of the story. Number 37 is truly insane and shocking in the best way possible. I left the movie completely stunned and amazed.

Foreign film enthusiasts will definitely appreciate this South African based thriller. Number 37’s graphic depiction of criminal activity and police corruption had my heart racing. Filmmakers often have trouble capturing these sensitive topics, but I thought the emotional acting and intense storyline allowed these issues to be illustrated in a way they deserved.