Sin City

Yvonne Nelson’s production gets together with Pascal Amanfo’s writing and directing to bring us Sin City! While it’s different from anything you’d expect from the former alone, it still manages to be exactly what you’d expect from the combination of the duo.

Sin City is the story of a couple, the Balfours (Yvonne Nelson & Kunle Remi), who go on a much needed vacation to a resort. While there, they bend the rules a bit and indulge in some non-traditional escapades. Upon their return, they are met with a new reality as they find themselves becoming the victims of a relentless blackmailer.

Going into this film, especially after seeing the trailer, is a prime example of false advertising. Somehow the trailer manages to paint a picture of this grand and intricate plot that will keep you at the edge of the seat. However, the reality is quite different. Watching the film, you see how aspirations continuously clash with reality as the writer tries to create intensity out of thin air.

The synopsis for this story might have been great but the fleshing out of the screenplay was the first strike in its downfall. Objectively speaking, the first half of the story builds the film up nicely. From the start to the moment the couple leaves the resort the pace is consistent and the story is almost enticing. Yes there are quite a number of faux pas in this bit but the appeal of excitement to come makes it easy to neglect. However, when the excitement isn’t delivered then the annoying holes begin to appear even larger.

The biggest pitfall of the writing is in the parts requiring the thrill and the suspense. While Kunle Remi tries against all odds to keep the rhythm and carry the audience along, the writing just wasn’t enough. The building blocks of the suspense weren’t knit tightly enough to create a solid investment in the audience. The writing ends up coming off as just a ‘nice effort’ as opposed to a convincing thriller. This is all before you even begin to weigh the ridiculous amount of plot holes in that final scene.

The downfall of the screenplay in Sin City is quickly followed by the ineptitude of the actors. There are a grand total of two and a half actors in this film. It’s Kunle Remi, Adjetey Anang, and a few sprinkles of Yvonne Nelson. Remi’s rendition of the angst and frustration of Philip Balfour was quite convincing. However, when placed with the backdrop of all the actors reading lines in this film it seems like casting Leonardo DiCaprio in a fifth grade school play. The addition of Adjetey here also serves to elevate the story a bit but it’s a little too late.

Sin City is a nice effort at a thriller with more plot holes than swiss cheese. You watch it hoping that by the end, the holes will be filled and the loose ends will be tightened, but instead at the end the holes just become bigger and sillier.