Public Property

We are always searching for a good romance story but there are sometimes that we are grateful when the movie is not a romance and “Public Property” was one of those times.

Public Property is the story of a successful business woman who is yet to meet the one for her so she turns her search online. There she meets what seems like the dream man, played by Okey Uzoeshi, they get married and somewhere in there she learns that he is not all that he pretends to be.

I was very grateful when this movie took a turn away from the romance aisle, as far as the story goes. This is because the things that make up the romance, such as the moments between the characters, were not very authentic to begin with. Everything after the meeting between both characters seemed very rushed that by the time the proposal comes around, you are not sure which is more questionable – the editing of the “theater and proposal screen shot” or the strength of their relationship.

There are, however, somethings this movie does right. Kiki Omeili is in her best form in this movie and her character brings lights to the scenes when Ashionye’s character wants to drag you down. Another thing the movie does right is the video quality, it is hard to ignore the crisp cut colors and sharp picture. However, the cinematography was weak. It was as though we had all the right tools but not enough experts to use those tools.

Speaking of things being used wrongly, this movie has a significant amount of scenes with awkward silences. It is not that Shirley Frimpong-Manso type of silence that strikes you or sets the scene, there is just literally scenes where music is missing because the silence has no purpose and creates no effect. When there is music, it comes off feeling very textbook. As though it came from a book of soundtracks. You know the kind that the movies that rip of the braveheart score get it from. 

It’s the characters in this movie that really take you on the journey. The lead male and female carry their own, Kiki is in her best light, Femi’s appearance in scenes makes those scenes much more interesting, and with lines like  “Well Tokyo and China. Aren’t they both in Asia”, you realize that there will probably never be a greater Barbie dunce actress in nollywood than Sika Osei.

Altogether Public Property is an alright watch. It might have the individual parts for a great recipe (great actors, beautiful picture), but the meal at the end is just not as enticing.