Kasanova – A comedy of errors?
It’s hitting the Nigerian movie scene this weekend and some journalists got a sneak preview at the Surulere Film house screen in Lagos. I was there. Not one who is ‘hot’ on Nigerian films, or an expert in the way they go, I dare say this movie proved to be fashioned along the lines of recent blockbusters in the industry; many stars, simple plot and lots of comedy.
It’s the Movie… Kasanova.
Directed by Asurf Oluseyi, and produced by Erhahon Edward, Kasanova features Ayo Makun (Ay Comedian), Ayo Mogaji, Helen Paul, Ireti Doyle, Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abraham, Wale Ojo
The plot is centered around Femi (Wale Ojo) is a widower with a son Jason (Abayomi Alvin). He finds it difficult to get over his late wife and so in a bid to move on, he indulges in several uncommitted relationships. Through his son’s aspiration to do music, he falls in love with (Ireti Doyle) Jessica, a single mom who is preoccupied with her musical career and is impatient with her daughter Ini (Ruby Akubueze).
Its strength would be in the producers calling up the Avengers of comedy (AY, Odunlade, Toyin Abraham) to spice up a slapstick plot. Also, the inclusion of Ireti Doyle, with her great acting covers up for any fault some critical eyes may pull up.
Such eyes won’t miss the few gaps witnessed like plots that were not fully developed. For example, what happened to the “plan”? What happened to the music contest? The writer tried to explore two different storylines at once but ended up neglecting one (Ini and Jason’s) in favor of the other (Femi and Jessica).
However, hats off to the cinematographer, Kagho Idhebor, who had a couple of breathtaking camera shots and angles that had me doffing my hat.
When the lights came on, I found others were obviously more enthralled than me as the applause was loud, one guy even stood up and shouted: “WHY WAS IT SO GOOD
The movie is full of laughs, and that’s obviously what Nigerians care about.
So, while scoring on dialogue and plot may not be high if you are going for the star power and the laughs, Kasanova won’t disappoint.
