Wale Ojo, the man who’s been gracing the silver screen since ’95, has played in everything from Rage to Johnny English Reborn to A Song From The Dark. While not every film he’s graced has been Oscar-worthy, he consistently steals the show with his stellar performances. Enter Breath of Life, the film that finally gives this acting maestro the stage his talent deserves.
Now, let’s be honest – the concept behind Breath of Life isn’t breaking any cinematic molds. Yet, it’s so heartwarming that you’ll find yourself pretending you’ve never witnessed a story like it before. The movie spins the tale of Timi, a guy who turns into a godless hermit after life deals him a lousy hand. Cue Elijah, the new house boy (or should I say House-Manager, as he proudly claims) with the potential to turn Timi’s life right side up.
Sure, the plot is straightforward, but it’s loaded with emotional triggers without drowning in melodrama (take notes, other Nigerian films). Breath of Life strikes a delicate balance between tragedy and light-heartedness, and the humour sprinkled throughout doesn’t overstay its welcome. The character development, surprisingly solid given the runtime, makes you feel like you’ve known these characters forever, more than halfway into the film.
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Speaking of characters, hats off to Chimezie Imo (Elijah) and Genoveva Umeh (Anna) for delivering performances that steal the spotlight. Their scenes are a delight to watch, and their on-screen chemistry is pure joy. Even veterans like Sam Dede and Bimbo Manuel give commendable performances, not to mention Ademola Adedoyin (Young Timi). It’s a well-rounded cast, no doubt.
What sets Breath of Life apart, though, is the cinematography and direction. Ola Cardoso, the visual maestro, navigates the film’s visuals like a genius. The shots aren’t randomly thrown together; they pull you into the story. Credit to the creative and art directors, Kelechi Odu and Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, for making the sets and visuals look so darn good.
Sure, I could dive into set design, music, score, and screenplay, but you get the gist – Breath of Life is a well-crafted film, the kind where top-notch Nigerian actors shine. While some might argue that Amazon’s deep pockets played a role, let’s not forget the numerous flops despite big budgets. Money doesn’t guarantee greatness.
My only gripe with Breath of Life? The visual effects. They’re minimal, but scenes like Timi and Bridget’s home look downright bizarre. Could’ve been better, folks.
In the grand scheme of things, BB Sasore has etched a film that’ll be remembered for ages. For finally giving Wale Ojo the film he deserves, Sasore has earned a spot in our cinematic hall of fame.
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