A Private Storm

-Story: [4 out of 5] There are many reasons why Leila Djansi as a producer/director/writer stands out to me. I mean other than her obvious skill behind the camera, it’s her ability to create that stories that are not only extremely entertaining but stories that have integrated within them a certain call to action for a specific social issue. And that’s the same sort of appeal “A Private Storm” holds for me. It’s able to tap into that line between “Oh so amazing storyline” (I mean, we have Omosexy, we have Ramsey, we have John, we have eye candy) and a call to action (i.e. “here’s a real situation that happens in people’s life everyday. Here’s how they handle it. Now here’s how you should handle it). Yes! It’s not as ‘strong’ as a Leila Djansi movie would be, it still has the underlying feel of cliche’d nollywood (which is beyond evident towards the end); but it’s still able to integrate a major issue, which in my book is a step in the right direction. All round, interesting story. Although I feel like the fall back on cliche’d Nollywood towards the end was a bit unnecessary, it was still an enjoyable film

-Predictability: [3 out of 5] A Private Storm does not have the ending that is expected and common place for a movie of this kind from ‘regular Nollywood’. To a certain extent it is predictable for the most part, the predictability is something that can be endured, don’t you think?

-Originality: [3 out of 5] This is not the first time that we are seeing a movie that addresses the issue of domestic violence. In fact, with the passion behind all of Stella Damasus’ recent talks, I have a feeling Nollywood is geared to see many many more of these kind of movies. What distinguishes this movie? I’d say maybe a couple different twists here and there and the fact that it’s not strictly a social awareness film… it’s an ‘entertainment’ film

-Directing/Production: [4 out of 5]: I thought the combo of Lancelot and Vivian did a great job with the movie. I’ve heard arguments here and there that there was room for improvement in more scenes than one (I can’t take those people seriously though because those are the same people that willingly sit through 6 parts of a Mr. Ibu film… #IRestMyCase)

-Acting quality: [4 out of 5] There’s a reason people worldwide (well… mostly Africans! But that is changing quickly) recognize the name Omotola Jolade-Ekehinde, and it’s because the lady is a (tornado, hurricane, tsunami…) WHIRLWIND. She picks up everything and she carries everything well. There’s something about the way she emotes that even if you didn’t feel sympathetic to her plight before, after you see her eyes, not only will you weep with her but you feel like you’re in the room with her and THIS (the beatings, the insults) are happening to you. You understand where she’s coming from even though you don’t understand where she’s coming from (contradictory maybe… but makes sense).

For those people who have a problem separating actors from characters, I suggest you don’t see this movie because Ramsey makes your plight all the more difficult. For me the true test of acting skills is when I have a problem removing you from the character you’re playing. And I’m just sitting here wondering “what happened to the lover boy?” How did you evolve from the o-so-lovely Prince of “Hidden Treasures” to this… this… monstrosity? Acting!

Now, all the acting in this movie wasn’t superb. There were a couple weak links here and there but I can’t complain too much considering the year and… well… the year is all I’m considering.

-Setting and Costume: [4 out of 5] On point

-Video and Audio Quality [4 out of 5] Generally good

-Soundtrack [4 out of 5] the sound was amazingly coordinated and I loved the song personally and you might too