I am not someone who enjoys the slapstick comedy of Leon Schuster and took no pleasure in the first Mr Bones. On a trip to find out audience responses to the sequel, Mr Bones II, I was expecting negative responses, at least from patrons to The Zone in Rosebank where you would expect a well-informed bunch to gather. So I was surprised to discover the majority of people simply loved it.
It should have been obvious. This week newspapers reported that the local blockbuster had pulled the red carpet out from under the new James Bond. This could have something to do with that movie’s lofty title, Quantum of Solace. So, for audiences in a holiday mood silly Mr Bones, with his local toilet humour, is more appreciated than the sophisticated Mr Bond.
The audience attending Mr Bones II on a regular weekday, when we went, was made up primarily of mothers and their children — all emerged beaming. Sixteen-year-old Naseem from Ladysmith raved, telling us that he’s holding out for Mr Bones III next year. Schuster has his work cut out for him.
Twenty-one-year-old Faheema and 56-year-old Zay had taken their kids on an outing and found the film enjoyable: “Typical Schuster,” Zay called it. The children apparently were too young to properly understand the plot and perhaps there’s a message for Schuster in that. If he wants to thrill the whole family he’d better start working on the three-year-olds.
Ella, a 63-year-old domestic worker from Sebokeng, with her young charge, found the film delightful. “I loved the Bokke!” she exclaimed. Ella also commented, mysteriously, on a scene in which Schuster tries to find a stone. The boy she looks after, six-year-old Harry, loved the film and said his favourite scenes included violence and cars.
With Harry was his best friend, six-year-old George, who also seemed to be into violence and cars. “I liked it when the man got bumped,” he said.
Interestingly the youngest viewers could barely fathom the plot but it was the slapstick violence that kept them on the edge of their seats. Whether they came from historically affluent suburbs such as Parkton North and Hyde Park or the townships of the west they seemed to equally appreciate the stuff that Schuster dishes up.
Rosa Moll is a grade 11 learner who visited the Mail & Guardian on a short internship