Wawa is the name of the gas station/convienence store chain in the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Wah-Wah is the name of English actor Richard Grant's sentimental directorial debut. Wah-Wah is also the the phrase that Ruby (Emily Watson), an American stewardess who marries into a drunken diplomat's family in late 1960's Swaziland, calls the fancified talk of the local upper crust.
In his first attempt behind the camera, Grant has made an autobiographical film, a traditional coming of age tale of the adolescent Ralph, set admist the ugly divorce of his parents: the adulterous mother (Miranda Richardson) and his once revered father (Gabriel Byrne.) Grant casts two precocious teens to portray, essentially, his role: Zachary Fox plays Ralph at aged 11, Nicholas Hoult takes over for age 14.
Gabriel Byrne and Emily Watson in a scene from Richard Grant's "Wah-Wah"
It's an emotional time for Ralph -- from the back seat of the family car, while feigning sleep, he witnesses his mum having intercourse with his father's best friend. He also suffers through his father's grief, watching the man get blindingly drunk on more than one occasion. When his father quickly remarries, Ralph gets angry. No to worry, he soon bonds with his father's second wife Ruby. In the role of the boisterous newcomer to the family, Emily Watson is marvelous. Her excellent performance, however is not enough to save the overly portentous drama. While Ralph's parents continue to bicker, the world is changing, and Swaziland gains its independence from England. This noteworthy historical event barely registers with Ralph, and when Princess Margaret comes to town, the local country club stages a production of Camelot.
Grant, unfortunately, lacks confidence in his own story and appears unable to trust that the material is enough to provoke an emotional response from the audience. Wah-Wah is guilty of numerous crimes: sweeping theme music, meaningful close-ups, endless sunsets, a boatload of quirky supporting characters who fail to entertain. The film's tidy conclusion is no surprise: once again, the heart triumphs over adversity. Surprise, surprise.
