A Simple Lie

A Simple Lie grows into a complicated story on the Biodun Stephen–directed, Bisola Aiyeola–starring movie, in which this pair will log one more entry into a formidable partnership that was, in itself, half the attraction of the film. Stretching back to 2016’s Picture Perfect, some other films with their joint imprint include Ovy’s voice, Breaded Life, and most recently, Sista.

The story follows five people united by ties of friendship and romance to one another and especially to the central character, Boma (Bisola Aiyeola), who is a successful consultant. She falls for the hunky Xavier (Kachi Nnochiri), who she met through her best friend, Donna (Bolaji Ogunmola). That relationship comes to a messy end when she finds out that Donna and Xavier have feelings for each other, and as a sequel to that she cuts contact with both of them. A couple of years later she runs into Xavier again, and, desperate to keep him this time, she makes up a lie diagnosing herself of cancer to gain his pity.

This seemingly small lie turns out to have far-reaching consequences when Xavier spills it to Donna, who passes it on to her husband, Azeem (Emmanuel Ikubese). This trio, together with Fade (Bukunmi ‘Kiekie’ Adeaga-Ilori), Boma’s new best friend, storms her house in an unexpected show of support. But while they all share a clear connection to Boma, their links to each other are not very defined or straightforward, at least at first. 

The drama that ensues after these characters are brought together is the crux of the film, and putting Boma’s friends in such proximity affords not only tense confrontation but excellent comic relief. Water that had ostensibly gone under the bridge will resurface, while new revelations will come to light over the course of this visit. As the later two-thirds of the movie takes place in Boma’s house, Biodun Stephen will rely on flashbacks to slowly paint the background of the history between these characters, and while these may appear confusing at first, every new piece added to the puzzle makes it clearer. 

It is here that Biodun’’s writing needs to shine, and it does, so that each new revelation from the past is presented just at the right time, and to the right effect. But there are drawbacks to this narration model, and her intention to make each reveal bigger than the last will eventually wear off the shock factor, at which point the audience will come to not only expect but accurately guess the next twist. It also doesn’t help that each murky detail from the past revolves around sex and infidelity, when there was so much potential for more complex and emotional conflict. 

When the plot cannot pack a large enough punch, you can rely on a superb ensemble of actors to sell the story. Bisola Aiyeola is the star here, and she brings Boma’s strength and vulnerability to life with equal adeptness; her performance in the central role provides her co-stars with a good footing in their interactions with her and subsequently each other. Fresh faces are always a positive to any Nollywood movie in an industry that is content with recycling the same familiar actors (to play the same familiar roles), and it is a big plus when they can embody their characters so well.

Of these, Kiekie has been saddled chiefly with the responsibility of comic relief, and she glides between Queen’s English and a comical, Pidgin-inflected form providing laughable lines that do not need to be too over-the-top. Her loud mouth is also a convenient way for writers to reveal new details from the past, though one that is utilised a little too often. 

Donna is played with a fierce, no-nonsense strength by Bolaji Ogunmolola, and she rightly takes the title of the ‘husband’ in her marriage to Emmanuel Ikebuse’s Azeem, whose nerdy, level-headed demeanor is proof that appearances can be deceiving. His clashes with Kachi Nnochiri (as Xavier) over Donna provide both conflict and comedy, and the writers are careful not to go overboard with either. 

And so a relatively light story is supported greatly by well developed, relatable characters. It may drag on a little longer than its small-scale premise allows it to, but ultimately, A Simple Lie’s minimalistic premise is granted a poignant, yet lighthearted take by its cast, and Biodun Stephen will be satisfied having delivered a tense, fun drama.