PASSPORT
1. The directing seemed pretty good, it was quite clear from the beginning the impact of the directing.
2. The location used for the Ghetto wasn't bad at all.
3. The plot manages to portray two Nigerian extremes well and how characters from these separate realities would probably interact.
4. The screenplay and motion picture was quite nice.
1. Very predictable storyline from the beginning. You might be quite disappointed if you're a lover of thrillers.
2. Some loopholes in the plot especially at the middle of the film.
3. The runtime could have been considerably less if the plot was not unnecessarily drawn out by the introduction of new conflicts with no regard for plot progression and the removal of needless drone shots.
A good watch for some comedy, and a bit of drama.
Just after Seven and a half dates in 2018, it was nice seeing Mercy Johnson and Jim Iyke on screen together again, however this time in a more comic manner. The Passport is a comedy that tries to project two worlds, the world of the rich and the poor.
The movie tells the story of a seemingly spoilt rich kid Oscar(Jim Iyke) who travels from London to Lagos, Nigeria to propose to his long time girlfriend, he however is delayed from travelling back in time for his Mum’s Birthday celebration when his bag containing his passport is stolen by two street-smart girls who he approached to help him with the fixing of a flat tyre on a car owned by his Uncle(Jide Kosoko). This incidence leads him to seek help from Kopiko(Mercy Johnson), a tomboy & street-smart girl who also has a personal ambition to win the seat of the Local Government Chairman, a post she is rivalled for by Terminator(Zubby Michael). Needing lots of money for the election campaign funding and to take care of her sick mother, this sets up a perfect opportunity for her to ‘cash-out’ of this London based rich kid as she must have some money in return for her input in finding the passport. The drama then revolves around this. Is the passport found? Does Kopiko win the election? Does Oscar end up proposing to his girlfriend? And much more.
In as much as the storyline did look predictable and straightforward, the writer could convey his message clearly, and it wasn’t a bad watch. However, there was absolutely nothing to look up to. There were no high and low moments, no suspense and no point of excitement. The storyline was just bland. Considering the potential of that story, the writer would have had an excellent piece with a little more effort.
Well, while trying to ignore a handful of delinquencies in the plot, however, there seemed to be a non-evasive one. On the search for Oscar’s passport, one expects him to mention that he has to find it before his 6 pm flight or at least impose that sense of urgency in their actions, but they just kept going through various motions of looking for the passport. It really did seem absurd when the urgency in the search for the passport increased after 6 pm or why the search continued at all when the flight was already missed. Like c’mon really?
Also, when Oscar’s belongings are being pawned by the thieves, it is revealed that he is broke with both his credit cards almost empty, a piece of information that is further confirmed by a call to his sister to beg for money, but somehow he is able to settle Kopiko’s hospital bills.
The movie directed by Dimeji Ajibola, and produced by Vincent Okonkowo is distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. The movie stars Jim Iyke, Mercy Johnson, Jide Kosoko, Zubby Michael, Lateef Adedimeji, Lina Idoko, Emem Ufot, Caroline Igben, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, NasBoi Nasiru among others.
Stand Out Performer- Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson edges this out a bit. She really did execute her role flawlessly especially the tomboy act.
Can do better Performer- Nil
They all did well.
