Starring: Ramsey Nouah, Omoni Oboli, Majid Michel, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Mercy Johnson, Omoni Oboli, Desmond Elliot, Rob Loner.
Producer(s): Emem Isong, Desmond Elliot
Director(s): Desmond Elliot, Daniel Ademinokan
Year of production: 2009
Country: Nigeria/Ghana combo.
Genre: drama
Language: English
Story: Well, the movie begins with Nse (Omoni Oboli), obviously agitated, at the travel agent’s trying to leave the country in a hurry. On being told that getting a ticket may not be so easy at such short notice, she sits down to a phone conversation with her mother. We soon discover that she is having relationship troubles.
She is seated beside Elizabeth or Lizzy (Nse Ikpe-Etim) who overhears her conversation. Lizzy starts to question her with some empathy, and they start to trade relationship war stories – leading to the rest of the movie.
Nse is recently married to photographer Kelechi (Rob Loner) whom she apparently helped place on the road to success. They had a planned a honeymoon in Italy but Nse had to go on alone because Kelechi had to “work”, and then he joins her for just four days. Work turns out to be the very sexy Boma (Mercy Johnson), who he does not tell that he is married. How does he juggle the two women when his wife is back in town?
Elizabeth’s story is just as convoluted. She is married to the very successful businessman Teso (Ramsey). They have a love-hate relationship – very complex. Elizabeth is very free spirited, and the more uptight Teso responds by keeping tight reigns on her, and is very controlling of her, even down to her clothing choices. They manage to keep the marriage going despite the tension, until Teso’s brother Robert (Majid) comes home from the States and stays with them. How does Robert affect the dynamic of the relationship between Elizabeth and Teso?
Trailer:
REVIEW
Positives: The story is not particularly new, but the leading cast gave a very convincing performance, making this movie a pretty good one. Ramsey has never had problems playing the suave, rich dude, and he certainly had no trouble with this role. What makes him a top actor is what he does with his face. He is soooo expressive! DANG! When he was angry, you felt it and it sucked you right in. Very nice. I thought it was so apt and appropriate that Majid was cast as his brother in this movie because Majid reminds me very much of Ramsey, not just because of his complexion, but also because of his expressiveness. For part of the movie, Majid had to play the ashewo (skirtchasing) playboy. I will admit that sometimes, the way he leered at the ladies made me laugh. His performance in this movie was quite solid, and for the most part, very convincing.
With Nse, I am torn. She is magnificent when she is angry. I cannot think of too many people that get angry or worked up like Nse in Nollywood. She is quick witted, sharp, her delivery of sarcasm is right on time. She was fantastic in the movie “Reloaded”, and she is totally convincing as Elizabeth, Teso’s neglected and overcontrolled wife. However, in the more nuanced moments, she does not deliver as well. She is adequate, but she is not there yet, like Ramsey is. Ramsey has learned has to use his expressions in such a way that they convey his emotions powerfully, without him saying a word. One of the most powerful scenes of the movie, where she is expected to show profound shock, I found wanting. I did not really believe her.
Omoni was good as the naïve, wronged wife, while Mercy was magnificent as the femme fatale mistress. Mercy attacks every role with gusto – she does not disappoint. Rob Loner (Kelechi) was pretty good in the role of philanderer, although once again, he has not fully learned how to express himself without overacting. Once again, adequate, not fantastic.
Some positive details: Majid could actually swim! Hallelujah!! Usually, you have scenes in Nollywood where people get into the pool and just paddle like dogs. Dude could swim!! And they changed up the love scenes a little bit. Instead of icecream, chases at the beach and fried rice, we got pictures at the beach and volleyball. Fine, it was bad volleyball, and the scenes were too long, but at least, they changed it up a bit. Yay!!
And then there was a scene where Lizzy was happily texting someone with ths Song – "I will get by" playing. Just loved that scene. I tried to find who wrote/sang that song on the credits. I don't think it was listed, or did I just miss it?
Edit: Just found out the song is by Austin Erowele. Very nice job.
One more thing about Lizzy’s character – I loved most of her clothes. Very sexy!!
Negatives: It started off too slowly. They spent too much time in Part 1 just laying the background for the story. While the movie really held my attention in part 2, most of part 1 was spent going back and forth from Nse’s to Lizzy’s story and it just did not flow properly. It appeared too disjointed and just off!
More specific complaints:
The supporting cast: Rukky Sanda, not a particularly good actress, at least not in this role. The way her relationship with Robert was developed was kinda weird. And what happened to her at the end?!! The role of Lizzy’s friend, (Oriaifo), acted by Paul Frank was totally unnecessary, poorly developed and badly acted. First time I was seeing the guy, and I was not impressed.
Filler scenes: Shopping scene with the girls, what was the point? Fine, Lizzy was having fun with her friends, but it was too long, and took a while to figure out what the point of the scene was.
In addition,I dunno if I bought Lizzy as a model. I guess its watching too much of America’s next top model, but for a pro, some of her posing was too awkward, but I guess it was adequate for the purpose. If they had not tried to make her out to be a pro, I guess I would not have been nitpicking.
Negative Details: Mercy Johnson’s wig was kinda scraggly. Just saying!
In addition, Nigerian actors need to stop saying “How do you mean”. It drives me nuts! Rukky’s character says it in this movie!!
Some of the lighting and camera angles were not good, particularly in part 1 - sometimes you felt like the camera was right on top of the actors. I am no pro, but I could see that.
Music was also kind of distracting in some parts.
Themes and worldviews: This is a classic men are from Mars, women are from Venus situation – answering the question why to the different sexes cheat in a stereotypical manner.
So, according to this movie, men cheat because they can. Kelechi had no other reason. He supposedly loved his wife and she was devoted to him, but he strayed just because….
On the other hand, women cheat for emotional reasons. When they are neglected, they go look for love elsewhere. Elizabeth (or Lizzy) cheated because she wasn’t feeling the looooove from Teso. She felt forsaken and alone and when someone came along who “understood” her, she fell like a pack of cards!! You disagree? That is what the movie writer says – not me!!
Rating: 7.5/10 (they lost points because of that slow part 1).
You can find more reviews here and here
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Enjoy!
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