A piece of flesh (1 and 2)

Title: A piece of flesh (1 and 2)

Producer(s): Emem Isong/ Rob Emeka Eze

Director: Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen

Starring: Desmond Elliot, Genevieve Nnaji, Dakore Egbuson,

Year of production: 2007

Country: Nigeria

Genre: Christian, Drama/Romance

Language: English

Trailer: Sorry, could not find one.


Summary: Genevieve is Ifeoma, a very staunch Christian. Her brother Kelechi (Osakwe Chidi) has kidney issues, and they are finally told by the doctor that they need a very large sum of money to take care of him. Prayer does not seem to be working, so Ifeoma and her parents (played by Fibian Adibe and Chinyere Wilfred) must find the money somehow. Ifeoma works as a househelp for the very rich Stanley (Desmond Elliot) and his very bitchy sister Cindy (Dakore). Stanley has been hitting on Ifeoma for a while, but she is having none of it because of her faith. She also cannot quit because she needs the money. When Kelechi’s condition worsens drastically and his life depends on it, they need to raise 300,000 for the bill. Ifeoma goes to her boss Stanley and he promises her the money for a price. What is the price, and is Ifeoma willing to pay it?

Reviews:
Positives: The story was mostly pretty cute and entertaining particularly in part 1, though its not new at all. And it’s ultimately a love story, so I don’t think the guys will be so enthused with it. This movie was made at a time when the prevailing romantic pairing in Nollywood was Desmond and Genevieve. It was a good pairing, because their chemistry was really off the charts. Casting for this movie was very good, particularly for the lead parts. Genevieve, Dakore, Desmond, the parents, almost everyone – superb! There is a reason Genny is regarded as Nollywood’s number one actress. She killed the role. You felt her grief when she cried, you felt her discomfort. Totally! And Dakore was excellent as Ms snotty high class. Even brother Segun, Ifeoma’s Christian brother suitor (played by Ralph Ogbaje) was totally right for the role. I have very few complaints about the casting and acting in part 1.There were scenes that were overdrawn of course, but it was mostly well made.


Negatives: The story began to fall apart in part2. After a very intriguing part 1, the writers could not really keep the quality of the writing up. The plot thingy with Cindy and Stanley’s friend Bassey (Ikem Chude) was veeery silly. And the movie gets really preachy. Not that I have anything against Christian themed movies, but the storyline was too clichéd, generic, and eventually predictable.
Specific complaints:
Some supporting actors were pretty bad
– Nkechi the fiancé fighting for her man (she had pronunciation problems-a maid it’s a maid it’s a maid!!) and the confrontation between Nkechi and Ifeoma was pretty wimpy. It could have been really good, but Nkechi kept mispronouncing words and barely remembering her lines. Blah!
-Stanley’s best friend (Bassey) was pretty bad too. Putting him beside Dakore was a mismatch.
-And the chief who miraculously met Ifeoma (cheap plot move) and offered her a job, was not too exciting as well.

Some looooong and useless scenes – eating , lovey dovy and church scenes. For those, you will need to use the fastforward button. That is how to watch naija movies o.
And why do Nollywood movies have to have someone say the title of the movie in a sentence? It’s so lacking in creativity honestly!

Cindy and her drug dealers? LOL.

Hospital scenes – teheheheh! One drip solves every problem in Nollywood hospitals.

And all the slapping going on in this movie – was not kosher at all. We need to start sending a message that its not okay to hit a woman, even if she deserves it.

The soundtrack: was not bad, but it told the whole story.

Tears won’t help me now
I must do something right now
I just won’t sit and cry
And keep on asking why
Because tears won’t help me now

LOL!

And the ending – Cliched, unimaginative, annoying, overly dramatic, blah!! Wrapped up in shiny paper with a big bow around it. Was very annoying to say the least.

And it’s a long movie. Over 3 hours long.

Themes and worldviews: Seems to be based on Romans 8:28 – GOD works all things together for the good of those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. The whole idea is that even really bad things can lead to good things if you maintain character, and trust GOD. There is also the “don’t look down on anyone because you don’t know when you will need them” aka “every dog has its day” lesson ”. And then there is the “follow your heart “ lesson, as the theme song so eloquently tells us.
This one is full of morality all over the place.

Bottomline: Okay, it was not perfect by any means, seemed to lose the plot in the second part, had a lot of flaws, some of the overly dramatic acting may get on your nerves particularly from Nkechi. But please look at the big picture. Overall, Genevieve and Desmond made this movie a watchable and entertaining one. For every “rolleye” scene, there is a scene with either Genny, or Desmond or Dakore wowing me. I enjoyed it generally. So I recommend it, as long as your expectations are properly managed.

Rating: 6.5/10

You can find more reviews here:

Availability: I bought my copy here
You may want to call them and find a copy. But check all possible sources.