Isoken

If you follow us in any shape or form (either on this blog or on twitter), then you know how we feel about “new nollywood’s” obsession with the ‘ensemble cast’ and it’s overuse in our cinema. However after seeing this movie I have realized that my vexation is not with the ensemble cast itself, it is with the assembling of the cast and then having them serve no actual role.

On paper, Isoken looks like yet another culprit of the ensemble cast phenomena. In reality though, this one is different because all the cast members have an actual purpose and a function. From small starers like Jemima Osunde and Efa Iwara as the newly wed couple to Abimbola Craig and Ayoola Ayoola, everyone in this movie is here for a reason and is here playing a character as opposed to just showing face. But wait first o, can we talk about how these people are really gonna play around with the feelings of SGIT fans and cast Tiwa and Mide in this movie but not pair them together? Why evils?

The movie, Isoken, tells a familiar story of an ‘of-age’ young lady who is yet to get married and is constantly reminded of it by everyone around her. From the get go, the movie jumps right into the storyline as Isoken (played by Dakore Egbuson-Akande) is seen being taunted at the wedding ceremony of her youngest sister. Her mother, played by the effervescent Tina Mba, introduces Isoken to a seemingly perfect Osaze (Joseph Benjamin), who she later goes on to date. However, somewhere in between she meets Kevin and starts to compare notes. Then she finds herself in a place where she has to decide between her heart and pleasing the people in her life.

So no points for originality or predictability on the surface because we all know how this one is going to end. But I will give abundant credit because even though we would have watched it anyways, the writer decides to introduce a Caucasian lead-male and by so doing reveal a societal issue. In the western world today, we hear all these headlines about how ‘black lives matter’ and how all races are equal. So it’s interesting and astute to see and feel what it’s like to be accosted with reverse racism in our home country. Even though it’s not the overlying message of the movie, that is to say it is not preached and forced down your throat, the writer still includes it in such a way that the viewer is forced to come face to face with their own prejudices.

There are many appealing things about this movie especially on a surface level. One word that would not be out of place to use to describe this movie is, beautiful. The movie is beautiful and exciting especially on an aesthetic level. The cast is beautiful – someone please explain to me how Dakore has managed to evade aging. The clothing is beautiful – personally, I would like a store where I could purchase everything worn by everyone in this movie. Except that gele Isoken was spotting in the first scene, y’all can keep that. The music is beautiful – where is the album for the soundtrack at though? And those live performances… wow!

The beauty is everywhere but it does not end on the surface, the beauty is also in the acting. It would be impossible to touch on everyone but then some would be criminal to ignore. Dakore Egbuson- Akande as Isoken, is effortless and fluid. In that one scene after Sunday lunch with her family where she is basically attacked by her mother, she manages to show so much on her face from composure to deep hurt and embarrassment, all at the same time while making it seem like another day at the shop. Speaking of the Sunday lunch scene, let’s talk about Tina Mba. I can’t think of her without thinking the words, “class act”. Her performance here is striking. When she scolds Isoken in that scene, it was so scathing and so raw that I personally felt like I was under attack.

And then there is Joseph Benjamin. We have heard of comic timing, well Mr. Benjamin is introducing us to romantic timing. The one where his every move will have your belly turning for no reason. Where his lines aren’t just on time but they also all strike a chord within you. .And then there was his final scene in this movie which felt to me like his best scene in all movies I’ve seen him in. It was not grand, it was not earth shattering but it was beautiful. It was amazing how well he was able to balance anger and control to fit the situation while staying true to the essence of his calm and collected character – Osaze. I don’t know if his acting exponentially got better between this movie and the last one I saw him in, or if he’s always been this good and seeing the many half-hearted lead actors we’ve been dealing with in the past year has made me appreciate him more, but this was something.

Now Isoken is of course not without its flaws. The obvious ones we already know are the usual culprits for all of our romantic comedy movies – it’s predictable and it’s predictable. One flaw though that did stand out to me in a few scenes (say about 15-25% of the movie) was the semblance of staging. All the actors were great but there were scenes where it seemed as though conversations weren’t flowing naturally and instead the actors were just waiting for their turn to speak and then doing so.

This took a way slightly from the feel of the movie, but regardless it was still a joy to watch. The scenes were shot beautifully but my favorite shot in the entire movie would have to be the lunch/brunch scene between Isoken, Osaze and Osaze’s mother. Everything from the framing, and the lighting, to the positioning and down to the colors in that scene all seemed to add to the tension of the moment. After that scene and especially because of it, I am excited to see what Jade Osiberu does in the future. Especially now that she has created a name for herself. And love wedding movies/rom-coms as much as I do, I hope it’s something different in which she can truly exhibit the full extent of her capabilities.

If for some reason you are still not interested in watching Isoken, then I say watch it for one thing – for that Sekem dance out at the end that has been used to replace the traditional electric dance ending of rom-coms.

Click HERE to watch Isoken Online now