[sws_red_box box_size=”552″] [sws_ui_icon ui_theme=”ui-smoothness” icon=”ui-icon-triangle-1-e”] [/sws_ui_icon] Director: Michael Jaja
[sws_ui_icon ui_theme=”ui-smoothness” icon=”ui-icon-triangle-1-e”] [/sws_ui_icon] Stars: Van Vicker, Mercy Johnson, Angela I. Okorie, Annie Macaule[/sws_red_box]
Van Vicker plays Fred, a man struggling to raise his child. His acting skills have dramatically improved in this film; I know him as a reciter of lines. Fred, who rules in the office, looses his spine, by the time he arrives home. Fred struggles to succeed in the business of domestic life. His character is kind, to a fault, and justifiably taken advantage off.
Van Vicker had a consistent performance, throughout the movie. His paternal love and the care he directs towards his child, are touching. He is a really good parent, when his home is not hit by turbulence, triggered by his wife. However, the business persona of his character floundered; it is inconceivable for Fred to accept investment advice from a house help. What a faux pas!
Mercy Johnson remains a solid Nigerian actress. She plays Winnie. Her character narrates the story, mid-scenes, with unreliable sound, at times. Her character is grappling with loss and seeking redress. Despite her entrepreneurial success, whose roots are not clearly traced, Winnie suffers anguish.
Winnie’s life spirals downwards, after a single indiscretion. From Winnie’s ordeal, you will gain an appreciation of countries where labor laws protect pregnant women, in the hiring process. In this film, unemployment actually feeds the heavily maligned child trafficking business. Women fall prey to lords of the underworld, striking unholy deals for a glimmer of financial hope. But, the film is not depressive, it is full of hope. I did think that Mercy Johnson over-used her ability to cry. Alternatives to tears must be used to express sadness in characters.
The fresh face of Angela I. Okorie plays Uju, the wife of Van Vicke’s character. She was very natural in her delivery. Though, events leading to her marriage were rushed and cryptic, as bedroom romps make for poor character development. Angela Okorie convincingly plays a head-strong woman, who knows what she wants and how to hijack it. Okorie is the most assertive character of the film, which she intelligently tempers, to convey calculated restraint in her character.
Biola Ige is the acting-deficient pretty face of the project, in comparison to the beautiful Annie Macaulay, who strives to polish her performance. In fact, Biola Ige has yet, to deliver an acceptable character performance.
My Soul Mate shows that women still occupy a precarious position in some modern African societies. It also shows how the criminal underworld feeds on the marginalization of women in society and makes women more vulnerable to it. Clamoring for the end of societal ills is insufficient, we should empower people to control their destiny, to stave off exploitation. It is amazing how societies rigidly contextualize issues and influence the decisions that individuals feel forced to make, for better or for worse.
[sws_red_box box_size=”554″]Director: Michael Jaja
Stars: Van Vicker, Mercy Johnson, Angela I. Okorie, Annie Macaule, Biola Ige, Princess Egu [/sws_red_box]
