3 Is A Crowd

So let’s get some things straight, Eddie Watson still can’t act, Hauwa is a gift from Kannywood to nollywood, Desmond Elliott just be mesmerizing the girls dem, Alexx Ekubo has some ways to go, and finally if you want to make your movie a hit with the ladies, give Mike Godson a guest appearance.

Lol… so of course I’m just kidding (partially) but 3 is a crowd was a delight to watch. It might have missed as many marks (if not more) than the marks it actually hit but it creates an impression that lasts.

It’s the story of neighbors with three guys in one house and three girls in the other. Derrick, played by Alexx Ekubo, is a womanizer who also happens to be dating Lola from next door (Lola is played by Lilian Esoro). Afam (Eddie Watson) is secretly in love with Lola, and I think even he doesn’t realize it, until his father barges in on his home and mistakes Lola for his girlfriend. Oma (Hauwa Allahbura), is a stripper (but at least she’s honest about it) and she meets Richard in her club one night, the next day she meets Bayo from the next house and falls for him. Then we have Rita, Tana’s character, a confused up scale call girl who derives joy at home by poking fun at her out and about roommate/stripper, Oma.

It’s the formula for a great TV show but you and I both are grateful that this writer and this director combo were not allowed the chance to wreak havoc to our emotions week after week. There are moments in this movie where you are not sure if it is being directed by the same person. There are shots that are simply stunning and out of this world and scenes with amazing lighting and then there are scenes where the blur is competing with the one glimmer of light in the corner.

And then there’s the issue of the writer. You can’t tell if you absolutely love them or if you want to banish them to writer hell. There are parts of the movie, especially with Richard at home with Oma, that just makes you love the writer for writing these two characters and also love the casting director for casting these two human beings. But then the next day happens and the scene in front of Richard’s door happens and you wonder if it is the same writer. How does a writer with so much skill 2 scenes ago, go from creating that magical moment to that tactless kiss in under five minutes?

Then there’s the story of Afam and Lola. In the beginning of the movie you think this is the only saving grace. We later realize that the other stories are just as good but even though Lilian does decently with her character, Eddie keeps oscillating between strong performances and what the heck are you doing moments on screen.

As far as the character of Derrick goes, Alexx does a decent enough job but I couldn’t help thinking that the character was so much greater on paper especially when you consider the lines he is given outside of how Alexx has presented it.

Regardless of all this, the endearing parts in this movie are many (and did we mention that our darling Mike Godson makes a cameo? I mean… come on) and it is not one you will quickly forget. If the couples from this movie are taken out and made into a full length movie of their own, regardless of the unoriginality of each one, I would still be down to see each one. Team Love Regardless Part 2… I’m looking at you.