The Perfect Picture

-Originality: [2 out of 5] There is really not much ‘new’ that can be done with a rom com. Because the fact that it is in that genre alone constrains it and at this point I think all original rom coms have come to an end. The bulk of the originality of this movie comes from Jackie Appiah’s character’s story. Not a storyline I’ve ever seen before and yet it addresses a problem that I’m beginning to hear more and more about in modern day society. As per the other stories, they’ve been done before. Naa Ashorkor’s character’s story with the rich man acting poor (has been done before in one old movie like this starring Emeka Ike, Chioma Chukwuka and Ngozi Ezeonu. I don’t remember much about that movie except that Emeka Ike was a rich guy pretending to be a taxi driver in order to find a wife and he drives Chioma -a strict no man woman- to the hospital to see her ill mother) and the rich “I don’t need a man” kinda woman is also cliched. As for Lydia Forson’s character, well… there is one of those in 1 out of every 3 multi-storied female rom coms. In fact, there is one of those in all of our lives. And the whole falling for your AC repair man is a bit reminiscent of Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan in “Disappearing Acts“

-Predictability: [2 out of 5] Again the thing about romantic comedies is that they are a given. I will not give it a 0 for predictability like I did not give Kiss and Tell a zero either. You can not fault a movie for its genre thank you very much

-Directing/Editing: [5 out of 5] I loved the cinematography in this movie. Love Shirley Frimpong’s works (no be today my love start).

-Acting quality: [4 out of 5] Didn’t have any problem with extras in this movie because honestly there was probably only one (i.e. the lady that bathes Lydia Forson with water in the beginning). Extended guest appearance by John Dumelo and KSM. John Dumelo did as John Dumelo does. I don’t know how KSM usually does so I can’t say the same but they both pulled it off quite nicely. Guest appearance by Joselyn Dumas (gotta love that female). On to real matters now. The standout performances in my opinion were Adjetey Anang and Lydia Forson because they seemed the most comfortable in their roles and carried it out smoothly in my opinion. For most of the other actors, the question wasn’t whether they could act or not (the talent was pretty obvious), however, there was a lack of chemistry. And when I say chemistry I’m not referring strictly to the one between male and female characters. Even amongst the females, it seemed very disjointed. If you watch the movie, you flow with it but then there is something nagging at the back of your head that something. is. not. clicking. Jackie Appiah carried her role out perfectly in my opinion. A job well done. Chris o dear Attoh, it’s hard not to stare at his marvelous beauty and impeccable grammar but looking away from that, he did his role justice. I still however felt a missing level of comfort. The person who looked the most uncomfortable however for me was Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku. Amongst the girls (Jackie and Lydia) she seemed to shy away a little and be placed in the background. She just exuded discomfort, awkwardness and ‘trying’. But amongst everyone else she was not as bad. She did get better in ‘Adams Apples‘ though… I think!

-Setting: [5 out of 5] Amazing! I loved how she, the director, would pan in to the Ghanaian scenery. It was definitely on point

-Costume/Make-Up: [5 out of 5] No dey fall hand

-Video Quality: [4 out of 5] Crisp… indeed the perfect picture

-Soundtrack: [5 out of 5] Loved it. Here is the link to the soundtrack of the movie, the perfect picture: OBI DO WO A DO NI BI by Kwabena Kwabena. The movie also included some foreign work (Que Sera Sera) and many Ghanaian originals like (Souljah Inn’s “One Day” & Asem’s “Pigaro”)

-Musical Score: [5 out of 5] I loved the musical score. I heard many people complaining about the James Bond theme song that was inserted in the scene where Naa Ashorkor Mensah had just accepted a ride from Adjetey Anang’s character (aka the broke AC repairman) in his rickety truck/van/multipurpose vehicle. Most people thought it was misplaced (and as such began to accuse the movie makers of ineptness). In my opinion though, it was pretty friggin obvious the reason why it was placed. I thought it was some form of artistic mockery… it was a joke expressed in the music. A sort of “and now the mighty Naa Ashorkor is about to board Adjetey’s James Bond -mobile… o wait? What do we have here? A beat up van”