Saving Onome

“Saving Onome” tells the story of a young couple, Jite (portrayed by Olumide Oworu) and Tola (portrayed by Nancy Isime), who need ten million naira for their daughter Onome’s (portrayed by Mega Geraldine) life-saving surgery. The hospital demands this sum, giving the struggling couple only three weeks to raise the money. With time running out, they face tough decisions and dire consequences in their desperate bid to save their child’s life. Tola considers raising the money by selling her body, while her husband Jite contemplates armed robbery. As the deadline approaches and their daughter’s life hangs in the balance, “Saving Onome” delves into the depths of love and the extreme measures people will take for those they cherish.

The movie has a universal theme about the strength of family bonds and highlights the challenges of healthcare in Nigeria. “Saving Onome” keeps its plot simple, avoiding unnecessary subplots that could lead to loose ends. The film stays committed to the main story, taking viewers on a beautiful journey of emotions, desires, and desperation. It humanizes every character it explores, and the plot feels authentic. The movie makes complicated situations appear simple, encouraging viewers to approach the protagonists’ lives with greater empathy. “Saving Onome” is a poignant and emotional drama that explores the depths of love and the extraordinary measures people take to save their loved ones.

“Saving Onome” occasionally struggles with its transitions between melodrama and subtle comedy. There are moments where the dialogue, especially between Nancy Isime and Olumide Oworu, feels stiff and awkward, making their characters less engaging despite the high stakes of their situation. The noticeable lack of chemistry between the two leads exacerbates this issue. While the plot may seem too convenient and forced to analytical viewers, making it hard to fully engage with the narrative, the average audience might overlook these flaws due to the film’s other redeeming qualities. Additionally, the supporting cast delivers commendable performances, holding their own throughout the film.

The opening scene of Jite facing a tough situation, intended as the story’s hook, fell short in execution. While it effectively foreshadows future events, the overall delivery, including the subsequent car chase sequence, was only passable. It didn’t fully immerse the audience into the narrative, although Olumide’s performance in that moment compensated for some of the flaws by drawing the audience’s focus. 

Certain shots successfully conveyed urgency and tension later on, partially redeeming the initial execution. The addition of Olumide’s voice-over aimed to clarify the situation for the audience, achieving its intended message but not executed flawlessly. Sometimes, simplicity can be more effective, because succeeding in film is challenging, as it is majorly about connecting with people, and not just about technical quality or intricate plots. That connection is the true challenge and purpose of the film, and Saving Onome is not farfetched from that purpose. 

Overall, the direction of the movie is commendable, but special credit goes to the lighting department, especially for their work on the nightclub scene. However, the hospital scene could have been improved by introducing some darkness to convey the depressing situation more effectively. The bright white light diminished the frantic mood that the hospital scene was meant to portray.

Despite the attempt to give a solid foundation with a dramatic premise, the pacing of the subsequent scenes could also have been tighter, with some lingering unnecessarily and succumbing to drawn-out melodrama. A few narrative choices weakened the plot. We don’t get enough of Jite’s background as a former gang member, as hinted at by Tega (portrayed by Lawal Nasiru Bolaji “Nasboi“), to understand his emotional struggles at the beginning of the movie. Key questions remain unanswered: Jite’s connection to Nasboi is unclear, and the reason for his father-in-law Mr. Dayo’s (portrayed by Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey) resentment of him is not fully explained, especially given Jite’s established character as responsible and meek.

Regarding performances, Olumide Oworu stands out with his nuanced portrayal of a young, unprepared father who will go to any length to save his daughter. Nancy Isime is capable and convincing in her seductive and heist scenes, but she falls short in portraying a mother in distress, lacking the believability and authenticity needed for the role. Their lack of chemistry is a significant issue, with their interactions sometimes so unconvincing that it is disappointing, especially given the strength of the story and plot. Despite these shortcomings, the film overall has redeeming qualities. It maintains a smooth and eventful pace that keeps viewers engaged, and the stakes and themes of the movie hold the audience’s attention.

Mary Lazarus delivers a compelling performance as Tola’s sister, Oreoluwa, with a commanding presence that makes her character stand out. She deeply connects to the emotion of her role, showing genuine care for her sister’s daughter, and could have been a compelling lead. Femi Jacobs and Ashionye Raccah bring depth and nuance to their roles as Mr. and Mrs. Azuka, driving the plot with a grace that only decades of experience can provide. Their chemistry is absolutely magnetic, a stark contrast to the lackluster chemistry between Nancy Isime and Olumide Oworu. Femi Jacobs’ character symbolizes the powerful men who repeatedly escape accountability.

The characters of Nasboi and Miracle (portrayed by Nosa Rex) both shine as hilarious sidekicks, adding a twist of comedy when entangled with Nancy Isime and Olumide Oworu in the heist plot. Kelechi Udegbe, as Skyscraper, delivers a solid performance, though at times he seems to be merely going through the motions, but his performance is decent and he brings something different, a unique flair typically expected from such a character.

Contrary to common belief, a linear narrative can be beautiful when executed clearly and without ambiguity. “Saving Onome” follows this storytelling structure, unfolding its plot in a straightforward manner without significant jumps in time or events. The film successfully balances humor and emotion, enabling the audience to easily follow the story’s progression in a clear and predictable sequence, where each event logically leads to the next.