Having seen many of Kayode Kasum's movies, Ponzi, Kambili—The Whole 30 Yards, Sugar Rush, and Quams Money, to mention a few, one could tell that he has a knack for enhancing his narratives with good soundtracks. It was just going to be a matter of time for Nollywood to witness a musical movie genre.
That time is beginning to germinate with the release of Obara M, starring Nancy Isime and a brilliant cast that includes veteran songstress Onyeka Onwenu and child actress Darasimi Nadi.
With the appropriate trappings that come with a 'first timer', Kasum's movie tells a simple story of how a Self-centred but focused Oluchi (Isime) had to abandon her newborn baby, Ihunnaya (Nadi) in the village to continue her music career hustle in the city.
But thanks to her caring father, played by Nkem Owoh, who rescued baby Ihunnaya and raised her to become a mouthy but bright young Kid. Unfortunately, he could only do so much as his health began to decline drastically due to the financial sacrifices he had to make to raise his granddaughter, and the real drama begins when Oluchi is dragged back to take charge of her responsibility.
As stated earlier, being a first-timer musical movie, it's evident that Kasum didn't find it easy to fuse the essential elements into a tight musical narrative. For instance, Isime definitely came through playing Oluchi, but the singing aspects and that of the other cast didn't look the part. The lip sync was a dead giveaway.
Casting was brilliant as Nadi was outstanding as Ihunnaya, and that's a big Gbosa to Kasum, who had performed similar magic with Jasmine Fakunle in Oga Bolaji.
A heartwarming movie written by Steven Okonkwo and starring Deyemi Okanlawon, Bolanle Ninolowo, Bolaji Ogunmola, and William Benson, with a special appearance by Waje.
Streaming on Netflix
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy