What this does have is strong performances and heart...spoilers

Now if those are things that you dont find pleasing in a story you probably wont like this. Because the story isnt the greatest nor is it that original. But the acting across the board is very good especially from the lead characters. The film synopsis is misleading as well because it gives you the idea that David (Tsotsi) is an evil criminal thug beyond redemption when in reality he is just a screwed up kid with a bad childhood searching for meaning in his life.

And thats where Tsotsi suceeds, as a character study. Though Davids backstory is left a bit underdeveloped we know enough to know that he has been emotinally stunted by a dysfunctional family life which leads to him run away and bascially raise himself. Slowly we begin to care about David and see that he is not the thug we thought he was. When he finds himself with the baby is when we begin to see him grow.

Although he is guilty of doing some horrible things the process of caring for the baby opens his eyes to a new world where love, care and nurturing exist. Things that he has not known or has forgotten. His character arc is impressive as we begin to understand him more and more and realize sadly that he was always a good person at heart he just lacked the loving, nurturing environment of a stable family.

The heart of the film really comes through in Presleys (David/Tsotsi) performance and especially through his eyes. Without this standout performance the film would not have worked.


There is NO Gene for the Human Spirit. Gattaca