Adire

Adire, a two-hour-plus comedy-drama tells the tale of Asari (aka Adire) portrayed by Kehinde Bankole, an ambitious woman striving to escape her life as a prostitute. Eager to pursue a career in fashion design, she seizes a chance to break free from her pimp, Captain (Yemi Blaq), by embarking on a fresh start in a small town in Oyo State. Yet, her journey faces opposition from a group of church members, particularly women who perceive her as a threat to their marital stability. The Pastor’s wife, Folashade (Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi), also perceives Adire’s presence in the church as a challenge to her established beliefs and values.

In terms of genre, a dramedy usually mixes drama and comedy, weaving serious themes with humor. Adire, however, feels like a blend of genres, switching between musical, thriller, and other elements throughout the overall experience.

Adire’s character narrative disappoints as her portrayal of a confused woman lacks depth. Throughout the movie, she never articulates her confusion and indecision, leaving her complexities to appear more imagined than genuine, ultimately contributing little positivity to the film.

Although, Adire unfolds with a captivating theme centered around the Church and its moral dynamics. After breaking free from her pimp, Adire seeks refuge in the Church community, making it the focal point of conflicts that resonate throughout the characters and their decisions. Notably, Femi Branch’s character, the Lead Pastor, does a great job of subtly revealing the varied facets of a church – a place of warmth that still manages to be a judgmental environment, as demonstrated by Funlola’s character.

The movie tries to blend light and serious moments, aiming for a balanced viewing experience with both intense and funny parts. However, even with a great cast and impressive costume design, the story falls flat after setting up the serious plot.

The opening scene, where Asari meets Captain, feels like something out of a soap opera or a school hostel ambience. The portrayal of the church girl’s pregnancy doesn’t feel genuine, perhaps because of the unconventional approach – having her kneel during the church service instead of sitting alone, isolated, might have been more effective.

Although the film may not reach perfection in its looks, the visible effort is praiseworthy. However, Adire overlooks a crucial aspect of filmmaking – the paramount importance of a compelling story. The significance of a well-crafted narrative cannot be overstated in any creative work, particularly in film. Regardless of production value, a strong and engaging story plays a vital role in capturing audience attention, establishing emotional connections, and ensuring the overall piece is memorable and impactful.

The film missed a crucial opportunity to establish an emotional connection during a pivotal moment. After Adire was manipulated by Captain into dealing with the supposed powerful drug lord, Tega (Ibrahim Chatta), the decision to withhold the details of her encounter with Tega weakened the emotional impact of subsequent events. Despite Kehinde Bankole’s nuanced acting conveying the distress, the audience would likely remain unaware of the gravity of the event. Adire later interrupts Captain counting the money meant for Tega, and through Bankole’s performance, we sense the severity of what transpired, leading to her ultimate decision to leave by stealing the money intended for Tega’s laundering.

Even the choice to steal ten packs of one thousand naira notes highlights how the director overlooked the impact of subtle details on a film’s success or failure. While it’s understandable if the currency is in dollars, stealing the entire briefcase could have upped the stakes, triggering a desperate search by Captain and greater audience concern for Adire.

Ten packs of one thousand naira notes might not faze someone like Captain, accustomed to spending that much on drinks in an hour. Considering Adire’s troubled past, the stolen amount seems trivial for the years she has endured, and her claim that it’s payback reflects a missed opportunity to add nuanced details that could have elevated the narrative.

The film missed a golden opportunity to paint Tega and Captain as genuinely fearsome villains, leaving the audience less invested in Adire’s perilous predicament. Drawing inspiration from the gripping narratives of “Shanty Town” and “Far From Home” could have elevated the screenplay. In “Far From Home,” Ishaya’s relentless pursuit of a $10 million prize gains profound captivation when we understand the driving forces behind his ambition.

Revealing Adire’s backstory towards the end lessened the potential impact it could have had if disclosed earlier, making it harder to connect with her journey. Adire’s sudden social media fame, given her desire for a low-key life, seemed implausible, introducing a questionable twist in her character arc. Her return to a previous lifestyle lacked the transformative journey we expected, resulting in underwhelming character development.

Additionally, her decision to flee danger raises doubts about the film’s resolution effectiveness. Despite her Oyo apartment being labeled a haunted house, the resolution fails to justify these claims, contributing little to the overall narrative.

Kehinde Bankole’s portrayal in Adire disappoints, lacking the emotional depth seen in her previous work due to narrative flaws. While Folashade and Tunde shine with robust character arcs, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi stands out for her compelling performance, skillfully conveying emotions through subtle cues. Tunde’s ability to depict nuanced emotions quietly is commendable. Despite the seasoned actors’ efforts, the inclusion of slapstick elements hampers the overall performance, falling short of compensating for the narrative’s glaring weaknesses.

The film tried to conceal its lackluster storytelling by featuring a stellar cast, but this proved to be its major flaw. Similar to many quality contemporary Nollywood films, Adire falls short of greatness. There are unresolved narrative questions, and the film conveniently wraps up without addressing certain loose ends. While the film has its merits, it falls short in fully capitalizing on them to weave a compelling and well-crafted narrative. This hinders the overall impact, making film less memorable.