Dead Serious

Dead Serious follows Johnny, played by Sabinus (Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu), as he navigates the complexities of romance with Amara, portrayed by Sharon Ooja.

Despite the playful skepticism of his sister Vero (portrayed by Toyin Albert) and his friend Pato, (portayed by Michael Nasiru Bolaji “NasBoi”), Johnny is determined to win Amara’s heart. Their budding romance forms the emotional core of the film. However, Amara’s father, played by veteran actor Nkem Owoh, disapproves of Johnny due to his financial status, preferring his billionaire employer’s son, Deremi (portrayed by Deyemi Okanlawon). Despite the challenges, Johnny persists until Amara’s father finally gives them his blessings to marry. However, tragedy strikes when Amara is involved in an accident, leading to unexpected hilarious moments in the film.

The sequence following the hook not only sets the tone for the film but also establishes its dramatic premise, giving viewers a clear idea of what to expect. The beginning of the film is intriguing, with promising setups for the lead characters, Johnny and Amara. Additionally, the introduction of Johnny’s sister, Vera, and his best friend, Pato, suggests that the film will rely heavily on slapstick humor. However, Sabinus’ dialogue and delivery come off as dry, with Sharon Ooja delivering more humor in comparison. But more importantly, the sound design is quite impressively done. 

In “Alter Ego and Cold Feet,” Moses Inwang showcases his grasp of immersive storytelling and entertaining elements. However, his attempt to emulate comedy legends like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and The Three Stooges, who incorporated slapstick humor into modern film comedy, falls short in so many ways. While not dreadful within the comedy genre, but the lead character Johnny (portrayed by Sabinus), intended to be a lovable and bumbling character, who often found himself in humorous and heartwarming situations, lacks conviction in his performance. Particularly in the first act, his delivery feels detached, failing to capture the essence of physical comedy and emotional expression seen in his skits. Despite occasional strong moments, especially towards the resolution, consistency remains a challenge.

The film’s narrative, while exploring a compelling theme, falls short in terms of stakes. Deyemi Okanlawon’s character, intended as an antagonist to the romantic bond between Sharon Ooja and Sabinus, comes across as overly condescending and arrogant. His behavior repels Sharon Ooja, making it easy for her to prefer Johnny over him, as his intentions toward her are already transparent. This lack of complexity diminishes the tension and undermines the potential dilemma for Sharon’s character.

The film’s narrative also raises concerns about plausibility, particularly regarding the portrayal of Amara’s father. In many cultures, including African societies, older men tend to value respect deeply. Amara’s father being disrespected by Deremi, yet still pushing for the marriage, prompts questions about his character’s credibility. If there were larger stakes at play, it might justify his actions, but without that context, it’s hard to understand why he would overlook such blatant disrespect, especially considering his daughter’s education and his own status in the story.

The stakes for Sharon Ooja choosing Sabinus over Deyemi aren’t clearly established. The narrative lacks elements to evoke sympathy for both lead characters, making their struggles feel weak. While I appreciate the reversal of the typical Nollywood trope where mothers pressure daughters to marry into wealth, having Sharon’s father, Nkem Owoh, do the pressuring offers a fresh perspective. However, if Nkem Owoh’s character were facing a life-threatening illness and Sharon’s acceptance of Deyemi’s proposal were the only way to save him, despite his flaws, it would significantly elevate the story and inject more entertainment value into the narrative.

In terms of performances, the ensemble cast, featuring talents like Nkem Owoh, Deyemi Okanlawon, Sharon Ooja, and Funky Mallam, deliver as anticipated.

Amara’s friends, Lydia (portrayed by Emem Inwang) and Tracy (portrayed by Lilian Afegbai), didn’t significantly contribute to advancing the plot, like the characters of Pato (NasBoi) and Vera (Tomama), although Lilian Afegbai’s character hinted at potential depth that could have enriched the narrative. Tracy’s evident disapproval of Amara choosing Johnny over Deremi could have been explored further to add complexity. For instance, Tracy could have been the one to approach Amara’s father after her accident, proposing to separate Johnny and Amara, instead of Nkem Owoh’s character initiating the plan with Amara’s sister, Cecilia. Similarly, Emem Inwang’s character could have played a more meaningful role by being the one to call Johnny when he was on the verge of jumping from a building, revealing the secret kept by Amara’s father.

Contrary to what was depicted in ‘Dead Serious‘ by Moses Inwang, who is both the writer and director, authenticity and believability still have a place in slapstick humor films. The balance between slapstick comedy and authenticity in the film is somewhat off. While slapstick humor thrives on exaggerated situations and physical comedy, it’s important for the characters’ reactions to feel real within the story. However, seeing Sabinus repeatedly dodging bullets without any explanation for his invulnerability feels unrealistic and detracts from the film’s credibility. Despite some funny and enjoyable moments, the lack of realism hampers audience connection with the characters and their antics. Maintaining authenticity could have improved the overall comedic experience for viewers.