Touchstone and Beyond: “Schuks! Pay Back the Money” Tries Hard to be Funny

Alas, it doesn't often work.

Marquee Attraction: Shuks! Pay Back the Money!

Release Date: August 28, 2015 (South Africa)

Worldwide Box Office Gross: $1,158,333

Plot Synopsis

Schuks, the hapless loser, gets himself into trouble when he loses the Currie Cup. This is not some spicy dish, but rather the most important cup in all of rugby in South Africa. Arrested, Schuks could have a million dollar fine coming his way, until the Sports Minister intervenes.

If Schuks makes a documentary that portrays the country, South Africa, in a positive light, then the fine will be avoided. Agreeing with the blackmail, Schuks sets out with his usual high jinks of silliness and immaturity.

Rather than making a movie about the greatest of the country, Schuks masks up and stages practical jokes on ordinary citizens. The work he creates is less than positive, and while the Sports Minister is wondering what he got himself into, the Currie Cup is experiencing its own unique journey through hapless crooks and bad circumstances.

Standing Ovation

Ah, ok. I want to say something positive, but I don’t really have much to say that makes this movie stand out. The problem for me is that this brand of humor, the practical jokes and pranking people is something I never found funny. The people who are pranked and when the realize they have been put on by Schuks, don’t seem to be angry, and find the situation funny, so perhaps I need to be from South Africa to enjoy the film.

Time for the Hook

I think I needed to be from South Africa to really enjoy this film, because there was so much that either I didn’t find funny or was bored by.

Did You Know?

Leon Schuster thinks his appeal to the public comes from him allowing the people who participate to be used to what is happening. According to the comedian, he thinks the public likes trouble, and when Leon is there, trouble happens. He goes on to explain that he believes the public loves it when Schuster uses topical subjects and takes risks. (My guess is, he thinks people like it when he offends or crosses the political correctness line.)
Schuster has never felt bad about playing up racial stereotypes for his comedy, but he does have regrets about playing in ‘blackface’ like in his film Mama Jack.
This film was picked up and distributed by Touchstone Pictures in the waning days of the label. The movie never saw a North American audience at the box office.

Bill’s Hot Take

I just don’t find comedy funny when you play up and heighten racial stereotypes to attract an audience.

Casting Call

Leon Schuster as Schuks
Desmond Dube as Sports Minister Godfrey Radebe

Production Team:

Directed by Gray Hofmeyr

Produced by Touchstone Pictures

Written by Gray Hofmeyr / Leon Schuster

My Critical Response

{Snub-Skip this Film, Lifeboat Award-Desperate for Something to Watch, Commuter Comforter-A Perfect Film for Any Device, Jaw Dropper- You Must Watch This Film on a Big Screen, Rosebud Award- This Film is Cinema.}

Movies that rely on pranks to get their participation will be an immediate no for me. A movie that relies on a character to play up on racial stereotypes, better be well planned and have a point, which Schuks! Pay Back the Money! does not have.

Leon Schuster tries to play an affable character but as I watched this narrative unravel, all I can say is that the movie does not merit the time or energy to watch it.

There are some humorous moments, but those are few and far between, and not worth the mental strain of trying to find them in the movie. Schuks! Pay Back the Money! gets my Snub Award.

Save yourself the time and watch anything else besides this film.

Coming Soon

Next week a look back at Spaced Invaders.