A Good Man in Africa (1994)

In the 1994 film "A Good Man in Africa," Morgan Leafy, secretary to the British High Commissioner Arthur Fanshawe, navigates a complex web of political maneuvering and personal entanglements. Leafy, a pragmatic and resourceful individual, finds himself the reluctant pawn in Fanshawe's ambitious scheme to secure lucrative business deals for Britain with a powerful figure in an unnamed African nation. As Fanshawe remains blissfully unaware of the realities surrounding him, Leafy must carry out his boss's unsavory tasks, all while juggling a passionate affair with the captivating native beauty, Hazel. The stakes escalate when presidential hopeful Sam Adekunle, who has accepted an invitation to visit London, requests a favor from Leafy – to influence a prominent doctor who opposes a plan that promises to enrich Adekunle immensely. This film earns its place on a list of Bruce Beresford's best for its characteristic exploration of cultural clashes and the moral compromises faced by outsiders in foreign lands, a theme Beresford masterfully tackles. The movie showcases his ability to blend sharp social commentary with engaging character dynamics, as Leafy's quiet competence contrasts with Fanshawe's oblivious arrogance. Beresford's direction imbues the narrative with a subtle irony and a keen eye for the complexities of human ambition and desire, making "A Good Man in Africa" a compelling, albeit often uncomfortable, examination of power, influence, and the choices individuals make when caught between their personal desires and the demands of their circumstances.