REVIEW | Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak is an indie rom-com with a local twist

In this romantic comedy based on Annie Klopper's novel of the same name, Pamina Vermaak becomes an unemployed journalist after having an outburst towards her editor. The rocker Wolf de Jager is sent by his manager to a quiet town on the west coast after losing his temper at a gig. His ex-fiancée, Daniella, cheated on him with a well-known American and his creativity dried up. He became rich with a one-hit wonder, but his image as a cool kid is dying. In the same town, her home, Pamina is forced to make peace with herself and the past, while Wolf realises that his elusive muse may be this stubborn, aggressive brunette.

The 2000s-era of indie romantic comedies were often mocked for their quirkiness and hipster sentimentality, but they still had an undeniable charm. Some of them had a coming-of age element, like Juno and (500) Days of Summer. If you are nostalgic for this type of film and also wish there was a South African twist on it, then Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak might be the film for you. It has an awkward romance, a messy protagonist who doesn't act her age and a local rock soundtrack. This feel-good film is likely to keep most viewers satisfied, but still dips into the realm of blandness.

Pamina Vermaak had its premiere at the Silwerskermfees 2023, screened at Woordfees 2023 and is now available on DStv BoxOffice. The film is based on a 2018 novel by Annie Klopper, with actor Carla Smith filling the role of the titular character. The film also sees the directorial debut of Kabous Meiring. There are glints of Meiring's unique filmmaking style shining through the film's standard treatment; those glints really give the film an elevated aesthetic and increased memorability.

At the centre of the film is Pamina's charm and relatability, which Meiring paid special attention to. In an interview for the Silwerskermfees, while talking about Pamina's character, Meiring said: "She is a strong lead character, which made it easy to create a universal film. We often jokingly said that we all are, or have been at some point in our lives, a Pamina."

After losing her job as a journalist, the slightly immature and impulsive Pamina returns to her west coast hometown, where she left a few burnt bridges, most notably her brother. She is given a warm welcome by her two loving moms and stays in the small town to get back on her feet. Meanwhile, fading rock star Wolf de Jager heads to the same town to recuperate and work on new material. The two inevitably meet and get off on the wrong foot, but eventually warm up to each other until their relationship blossoms. Throughout the simple narrative, Pamina matures as a human, makes amends with her loved ones and finds unlikely love.

As a protagonist, Pamina is unfiltered and occasionally irreverent, which constantly gets her in hot water. It is that side of her that she learns to quell and develop. She is her own worst enemy, but she learns not to be. Her prodigal return to her hometown isn't just a means of finding emotional shelter, but also an escape from the terrors of adult life. Her quiet hometown is a character unto itself, filled with familiar figures and small pockets of comfort. Meiring really brings the setting alive with her sensitive directorial treatment. There are also sequences where Pamina wanders aimlessly through the sleepy town on a bicycle, and for a moment, viewers can almost peek into her empty, forlorn soul. It is subtle little filmmaking tricks that make a world of difference.

The individual performances in the film are incredibly strong. Smith's rendering of Pamina has hints of the manic pixie dream girl trope, but without the limitations of being attached to a male lead's story. Smith feels like the perfect choice for the role. Christiaan Schoombie brings out his inner washed-up rock star and creates a convincing on-screen chemistry with Smith. Lee-Ann van Rooi plays a mother in two of the Silwerskermfees films, the other being Frankie & Felipé. Her calming energy radiates from the screen and you almost feel like you can turn to her for solace.

There's a lot to like about Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak: Carla Smith nails the leading role, and the rest of the cast flawlessly executes all the comedic, dramatic and emotional beats. The sentimental moments are genuinely touching and wholesome. The atmosphere is comforting and homely; it places the viewer in a world that they almost don't want to leave. However, the story remains predictable and somewhat overdone. Stripped down to its bare components, Pamina Vermaak offers little that is new. Its familiarity is both a benefit and a liability, but as a film for easy viewing, it fulfils its purpose.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: