Brother’s Keeper

There are not many nollywood movie trailers that I watch nowadays, first of all, but then even after that, I can count on one hand how many of them I have gotten excited about. Brother’s Keeper was one of the few that had me riled up from the first on-set-promos to the trailer and release.

Brother’s Keeper follows a family who have just experienced a tragic loss with the death of the husband’s brother and one of their own twin sons. One of the best parts of this movie is the clear-cut aspect of it. There is no unnecessary scene in here, there is no exposition that lasts half the length of the movie. From the moment you press play the movie begins.

Now even though you cannot argue that there are unnecessary scenes, we can still argue for unnecessary plot lines – or unbelievable aspects. So whilst it’s hard to believe that a wife would live with her husband for so many years and still be unable to differentiate him from his twins, we grant artistic license and let that slide. But the fact here is that not many people will do the same and at this point the movie loses them.

However, for those who can look past it the movie is a pretty concrete whole. The storyline flows together. There are no awkward moments. And the part for which I am most grateful, there is no moment of confusion. Even when both twins are on screen together, it is very clear who is who without any question. The movie makers found a way to establish their characters in setting, tone and dialogue without dedicating a huge chunk of film time – which would inevitably have turned out to be snooze time for the audience – to so doing.

The movie looses me though not because of poor execution but simply because the story in and of itself is not that fascinating. It is originally unoriginal, if that makes any sense. This is not the first time we are faced with the concept of twins with one evil and one good, so it’s not enticing. It’s a new development in the twin storyline in its direction and I agree with everyone who argues that it is impossible to make anything entirely original. But some factor in its originality didn’t do much to resuscitate the movie to a level where it would be memorable.

There were some stellar performances by members of the cast in this movie. Majid Michel is obviously impeccable. This performance was not necessarily outstanding and award-deserving but Majid brings a certain level of professionalism to all he does. We appreciate him because even at worst, he maintains a certain level of delivery that can never be called under performing.

Omoni Oboli had golden moments in this movie and I especially loved the first restaurant scene with her character’s ‘friend’ where after she relays what should be good news to her friend, the ‘friend’ looks to her and responds with a negative comment. And in that moment and within a couple of seconds – like if you blink you will miss it – she just phases from one emotion to another very magnificently.

Even the supporting actors in this movie brought their A-game. From the young Oboli who plays the couple’s son[s], to Beverly Naya – an actress who I usually cannot stand, and Barbara Soki, the movie was not to be faulted on performances.

Fact is, Brother’s Keeper had the looks – really beautiful picture and cinematography, the appearance and the makings of a great movie but the story itself held it back.