Karma is a Cold-blooded Bitch, and so is Paul Edima in "The Black Book"
Richard Mofe-Damijo is Nollywood’s answer to "John Wick" and "The Equalizer" in Editi Effiong’s ambitious crime thriller
Starring: Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo, Bimbo Akintola, Patrick Doyle, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, Femi Branch, Olumide Oworu, Bimbo Manuel, and more.
Screenplay: Editi Effiong and Bunmi Ajakaiye
Directed by: Editi Effiong
Ever wondered what a million-dollar movie looks like in Nollywood?
Before now, not many could say for sure as only a handful of productions from Nollywood have been able to boast of anything remotely close to that impressive figure.
Until "The Black Book," such a notion remained a distant dream. Editi Effiong's ambitious crime thriller, centered around a father seeking vengeance for his slain son, is said to have cost a million dollars to make, and it provides a tantalizing glimpse of the possibilities that ample resources can unlock in our part of the world. This cinematic endeavor ventures into uncharted territory, courtesy of Anakle Films, and sets a promising precedent for passion projects led by the right creative minds backed by very deep pockets. It's a daring and commendable endeavor, to say the least.
However, amidst the impressive budget and stories of camaraderie behind the scenes, one critical question lingers: does "The Black Book" deliver on the storytelling front? Let's explore this in this review.
A Heartfelt Narrative
The performances in "The Black Book" are commendable, even if they aren't necessarily the film's main selling points. The movie's standout feature is its genuine commitment to tell its story. You can sense the passion of the filmmakers in almost every frame, and that passion effortlessly radiates throughout the film.
The Good
The Black Book's cinematography, production design, and overall visual aesthetics are nothing short of impressive. "The Black Book" boasts a high production value that immerses viewers in its meticulously crafted world. While I can't confirm whether it indeed looks like a million dollars, it certainly looks spectacular. The attention to detail, set design, and cinematography speak volumes about the labor of love invested in this project. Comparing it to "Up North," another grand production by Anakle Films (in collaboration with Inkblot Productions), it's evident that "Up North" paved the way for "The Black Book" to push the envelope five years later.
The cast, led by the experienced Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) in the role of Paul Edima, delivers commendable performances. RMD's embodiment of the physically demanding role of the military-minded Paul Edima is remarkable. He convincingly portrays a character who can exude both strength and vulnerability, making him a formidable protagonist. RMD's portrayal leaves no doubt that he could indeed pack a punch if necessary.
The action sequences in the film are grounded, making them relatable to the average Nigerian viewer. However, I couldn't help but wish for a bit more intensity to match the fearsome reputation Dipo (Patrick Doyle's character) had bestowed upon Paul Edima, describing him as a formidable warrior.
Ade Laoye's portrayal of the character Victoria is noteworthy, albeit intentionally annoying. Her character evokes strong reactions from the audience, even though she could have received better character development. We barely got to understand the motivations behind her actions, and I believe this affects how the character is received by viewers. Ade Laoye does her best with what she’s provided, which is a testament to her skill as an actress.
While there are no standout AMVCA-worthy performances here (in my opinion), the cast's dedication to their roles contributes to the film's overall storytelling integrity. It's evident that they believed in the project and strived to breathe life into their characters. Other actors who deserve honourable mentions for their performance in this movie include but are not limited to Bimbo Akintola, Sam Dede, Ikechukwu Onunaku, and Shaffy Bello.
I really liked the choice of karma as a central theme in ‘The Black Book”. The concept that one's past actions can catch up with them serves as a driving force behind the narrative. "The Black Book" explores the idea that what goes around, comes around, and it does so in a thought-provoking manner. Standing on the shoulder of this theme, the movie fearlessly tackles some of the issues prevalent in contemporary Nigerian society. It sheds light on corrupt practices within the ruling class and law enforcement agencies, echoing real-life reports of criminals being exchanged for innocent civilians taken off the streets. The film confronts societal rot head-on, exposing the abuse of power by those tasked with protecting the vulnerable. By shedding light on these uncomfortable subjects, "The Black Book" contributes to a broader conversation about eradicating the ills plaguing our society like some of the recent Nollywood movies widely released to a global audience.
The Bad
As with any film, "The Black Book" is not without its flaws, and there are aspects that could have been improved.
One significant issue I had with "The Black Book" is how swiftly it transitions from the death of Damilola, Paul Edima's son (played by Olumide Oworu), to the circumstances surrounding it. While backstory is crucial for character development, the gravity of the film's pivotal inciting incident seems to get lost along the way. Even though the death of his son initially propels Paul on his journey to retrieve the body, this mission soon becomes less relevant. At a point, everyone forgets about Damilola Edima, until the final scene of the movie. A sudden blast from the past takes center stage, and Victoria’s connection with Paul Edima’s past and present conveniently positions her as a substitute child. Basically, things start to become too convenient in this horrid world we’ve come to know.
While karma appears to be the central theme, in “The Black Book,” its neat resolution in the film feels too coincidental to ignore. The alignment of various characters' paths strains believability. The odds of the same people Paul Edima used to work for being involved in his son's murder, the reunion with the child whose life he spared, and the willingness of the spouse of the man whose life he saved to join forces with him all seem too convenient.
Simplifying the narrative to focus on Paul's quest for vengeance could have streamlined the story and cleared out this subtle confusion I felt with the narrative. Albeit subtle, the confusion is there.
While this is the most significant grouse I had with the movie, there are some other lesser things that irked me, they include:
Paul Edima wasn’t as brutal as he could have been. We didn’t really see the brutal Paul other characters kept describing, and neither did we get to see (not what we were being told) the reason why he’d waned over the years if indeed there was one in-universe.
Ade Laoye’s Victoria could’ve been better developed. It could have helped if we better understand what her motivations were.
I disliked how the so-called "Black Book" was introduced as a significant element in the story. Even though Paul, the General, and some other characters kept going on about what it was and what it could do to the men pulling the strings from the shadows, it just felt like too many words whose importance I couldn’t connect with as a viewer. However, I must admit that it does make for a memorable movie title.
The sequence involving the militia women in hijab and Big Daddy's confrontation with the General's forces felt too on-the-nose and didn’t really work for me.
Patrick Doyle's character, Dipo, is portrayed as a caricature and is challenging to watch. His most cringe scene for me is the one used to market the movie here.
The Ugly
Thankfully, there's nothing inherently ugly about "The Black Book."
Random Musings
A list of interesting things I observed while watching. Tell me in the comments which one(s) you also noticed.
It was really refreshing to see and hear Saheed Muhammed aka Funky Mallam speak without the heavy Hausa accent and caricature act that has defined a large part of his lengthy career.
It felt good to see Alex Usifo return to the screen in a mainstream movie again.
General Issa (played by Alex Usifo), despite being a man of the north, pronounced "Edima" with a very noticeable Igbo enunciation. This got me thinking about an interesting tweet I came across days after this movie’s release on Netflix.
Despite the film's pursuit of justice, the irony lies in the absence of such justice in our real world.
"SAKS," the special police squad that profiled and killed Damilola Edima, strikes a chord and hits uncomfortably close to home.
Kelechi Udegbe adds another corrupt police officer role to his repertoire. It may be time to retire this line of work, bros.
In the final showdown, the valiant Nigerian army came to the rescue, contrasting with their corrupt counterparts in the SAKS (or perhaps the police) – a compelling commentary on the complexities of law enforcement in Nigeria.
The magnitude of the stadium explosion wasn’t large enough to warrant all police units in the state to converge there as depicted in the movie.
The choice of Kaduna for the final action sequence: stadium explosion, car chase, and gun battle may hold deeper symbolism, reflecting real-life issues in the region or simply coincidence.
The portrayal of northern women in hijab as gun-wielding figures challenges a stereotype. Because people are always looking for something to complain about, in the coming days/weeks, I won’t be surprised to see some people lament over how northern women aren’t violent, gun-wielding entities.
Since Angelo and Paul have history together, why would he make the statement to the Deputy Commissioner (played by Ikechukwu), “If this man is as dangerous as you say he is, we need to make this issue a national one”? This was the scene in the car ride that led to
Spoilerbeing shot point-blank to be able to kick off a manhunt for Paul Edima. It felt out of place because he and Paul served The General together, a fact all three repeatedly informed us about. At this point in the narrative, Angelo knows more about Paul Edima than we the audience, so I’ll just chalk this up to a noticeable plot hole.It took me a long time to realize Ikechukwu Onunaku was the one playing Jude “Osaretin” Amadi, the suave police deputy in uniform. With the mustache and mannerisms, I really love how the actor disappeared into the character. Look out for the scene with the sniper, I love how he fell. LOL.
Denola Grey's silent and underused assassin character seems borrowed from foreign film tropes. Also, who TF killed him? It felt so easy and I kept scrambling my head to understand why he had to go that way.
When Victoria pulled a gun on him in the final act, why did The General wheel off like a cowardly-framed Professor X?
I expect this phrase to trend on the internet for some time: “Chi-Chi, share the groundnut!!!” 🥜🥜🥜🥜
In Summary…
There’s so much that can be said about ‘The Black Book,” but one thing is certain: "The Black Book" is a daring and visually impressive addition to Nollywood's cinematic landscape, showcasing what can be achieved with ambition and financial backing. The film's commitment to storytelling with heart and its exploration of societal issues are commendable. However, it falters in its attempt to seamlessly weave certain elements into the plot, resulting in a narrative that occasionally loses its focus.
While the movie presents strong performances and a high production value, it struggles to overcome some forced plot developments and clichéd character portrayals. Nevertheless, "The Black Book" serves as a testament to the potential of Nigerian cinema, hinting at a future where even greater cinematic achievements may be within reach.
It comes recommended. Stream it on Netflix.
Great read. Will return to share my thoughts after I see the film ... eventually