Contract

Shirley Frimpong-Manso who gave us month after month of sexy sassy wahala back in 2011-12 with the Adams Apples series, returns again to our screens with yet another colorful romantic comedy, this time along with Ghanaian actress Yvonne Okoro.

The ‘contract’ story is not exactly your typical ‘African’ storyline, in the traditional sense of the word. In fact, from a strictly Nollywood/Ghallywood perspective this story of a rich bachelor who has no desire to get stuck with a woman for all his days yet seeks a young version of himself, is quite original. However, looking at it from a world perspective it seems quite regular.

Hlomla Dandala of ‘Jacob’s Cross’ fame is an actor from South Africa who completely possesses the screen as Peter, the wealthy bachelor. After watching Mr. Dandala in this role, I find it difficult to imagine anyone else in the role. No one could have possibly done it better, he was immaculate, he was fluid, he was at home in the character of a wealthy womanizer with much too much money to throw around.

And trust Ms. Frimpong-Manso to ensure that at the end of the day nothing is left to our imagination. Unlike most other movies where a supposedly wealthy character is only wealthy in words and carriage, Ms. Frimpong ensures that the viewer sees the wealth. After leaving this movie if not for anything one things sticks with you and that’s the aesthetics, the colors, the sets, the cars, the suits, the ‘suites’, and everything in between.

Then again that’s not to say that’s the only thing that will stick with you because as the aesthetics are appealing, so are the performances impressive. I’ve hardly ever had a completely (i.e 100%) positive comment on Joseph Benjamin’s performance but I must say this role was definitely for him. He seemed, forgive my redundant wordchoice, but Mr. Benjamin was definitely at home in this character. His pace, his reactions were all amazing and I think this is the ‘better’ (I won’t say ‘best’) I’ve seen him thus far.

And no one can forget the immaculate leading lady. In his bid to avoid money-grubbing females, Peter employs Abena Boaoteng to carry a child for him for the whooping sum of 20,000 Ghana Cedis. Abena is played by the amazing Yvonne Okoro. I have to say as I’ve said way too many times, I believe Ms. Okoro is probably one of the most underrated actresses. She has the capacity for so much but for some reason not too many people notice that. As Abena, Yvonne was amazing. Her character’s sadness, her joys, her wiles were all so effortlessly portrayed by Ms. Okoro

The movie is your typical romantic comedy though, I must say. Like I’ve said again and again, with this genre do not expect it to change your life, do not expect it to move mountains, do not expect it to solve your life’s problems, but it will definitely give you entertainment.

The story has its twists and its turns here and there but the end did seem a bit rushed to me. For some reason that amazing climactic romantic comedy movie moment where jokes are put aside and true love is declared, didn’t work for me in this movie.

The movie ‘contract’ is beautiful: it delights, it amuses, it appeals to your senses in many ways, and makes for amazing light-hearted entertainment.