Rag Tag

We have become so accustomed to one way of directing/producing a film. I believe that a film has to be reviewed based on it's own merit, not some made up standard.

This was a great film. A very simple storyline that provides a glimpse into the past to two boys (with many unknowns).. then the twists and turns that surround their reunion as grown men.

I especially enjoyed that many vague points or events where many viewer made assumptions that were clarified at the end. That, in itself, was very creative. As well, we have a credible view into another culture.

Well done! So different from anything I've ever scene.

This film is about two childhood friends who fight against the odds to be together.

"Rag Tag" is a low budget film, so the visuals and sets are not as impressive as the blockbusters. Hence, it needs a good plot to captivate viewers. "Rag Tag" tells a touching story of undying love between two childhood friends. Even though they face societal pressure, criminal temptation, jealousy and non-acceptance, their love still manages to blossom into something beautiful. It is a beautiful story. The only problem I have with it is that it is a little too slow paced. If it was a little faster paced, it would have been an even more captivating film.

This is definitely an independent film with a low budget. The acting, direction, script, and music were uneven, and the pacing felt rather quick to me; I glanced at the clock about halfway through and was surprised at how much had happened by that point.

However, this wasn't guerilla filmmaking, Adaora Nwandu seemed intent on making the best film she could and it came across to me as very much a passion project. I liked the effort she made enough that I've looked into what else she's done, and could see her skill improving with each work (I'm probably too culturally naïve to get everything in it, but I enjoyed "The Venician"). Overall, I thought this was a good film that showed her potential. I remained engaged to the end, I've seen it twice so far and I'll probably watch it again sometime.

What bothered me, and the main reason I settled on a median rating, was how the story was told. Significant information was vague or left out, and the action jumped around between several extra characters, so I sometimes had trouble following what was happening and who was who. The worst for me was the Nigerian aspects. Beyond being unfamiliar with Nigeria and its relationship with the UK, even with closed captions to help understand the dialogue at times (and subtitles using the same font as the credits, which was confusing), I had no idea who Tagbo was working for and what kind of work it entailed, or why Tagbo and Raymond were sent to Nigeria. All I could tell was that it was supposed to be shady. It didn't even need to be defined, just less ambiguous than "not drugs."

Same with the man Tag and Rag stayed with, and the man's friend. It was supposed to be Tag's uncle, his father's twin, who I'm pretty sure was having a clandestine affair with another man, but it would've worked so much better if Geoffrey Aymer had played both Tag's father and uncle so that we'd see that they were twins, the hidden relationship wasn't so subtle if it existed, and Nigeria's historic nonacceptance of homosexuality was more apparent so we'd have a better understanding of the underlying tension. Loved getting to see the country though, including the brief glimpses during the end credits.

The other part of that is how cluttered the story was. Several ideas were presented but not explored very much, which I think is why the pacing felt so rushed and choppy at times. Tagbo and Raymond were dealing with an ignored romance on top of issues with their parents, their significant others, their friends, their job prospects, and their trip to Nigeria. They both had a lot to sort out in their lives -- which is realistic, we all do, but that doesn't work as well when telling a story. Some of those plot elements needed to be trimmed or pruned away in order to reveal more of the story's essence. I also kept noticing the recurring theme of "they're not like us," but it was only ever mentioned and not the focal point it could have been.

I was a bit disappointed with the character of Tagbo's father too. He was suitable as an antagonist overall, although I didn't get why he wouldn't kick out his gay son, unless it was intended to show his continued attempts to exert control. Mainly I didn't like that he was basically relegated to intolerant villain by the end.

Despite their immature and hypocritical personalities, I'd become quite enamored with Raymond and Tagbo when they reached their pat happy ending. While this is the sort of film I wouldn't mind seeing remade with a more generous budget and more careful direction, frankly I don't know that I could see anyone else playing those characters.

There are a lot of ways that this film could be made better, and as another review mentions, closed captions may be necessary, but if you're okay with the lower production values it's not a bad love story.

I discovered this on Tubi and I enjoyed it. It has its flaws but it doesn't take away from how great the film is

When Rag and Tag are separated at 12 and reconnect 10 years later, it seems as if there is no room for Rag in Tag's life though he knows what it means for him

I like how it portrayed the life of black people in the UK and a black gay man wrestling with what the world expects of him. We see two different men that complement and can't do without each other. Some of the visuals betray its low budget and quick edits do make us say:What? How'd they get here? One scene is anti climatic but still decent all things considered

The end is well done and crafted. The performances shine quite well, there was only one part in the beginning where I thought the boy should've been coached a little more in line delivery but that's really good considering I've seen other child actors grate on me

It's a great movie

W Sharpe Director of New Media, Public Broadcasting Atlanta – 30th July 2007 "I recently saw the film Rag Tag during the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. I thought it was a bold, daring, provocative film. I was surprised at the reaction of some of the viewers of the film and their objection to the subject matter.

I think that the Arts Festival is exactly the place to exhibit such works. It is a place for artists to exhibit their craft and enlighten to public through their art. Please do not censor future content. I have learnt many things through the films presented at the Arts Festival and it would be a shame if the narrow minded views of a few stifled lifelong learning.

The film has been a topic of discussion among the friends I brought with me to screen the film and those who were not in attendance. I'd like to know if the film is in release on DVD or will be screened at any other festivals around the country."

C Anderson - 8th and 10th August, 2007 "I just saw Rag Tag at the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It was Great. I felt that the audience at the showing I attended really responded positively to the film (and it was a full house)…. The accents were certainly present, but they were by no means a hindrance. I am probably more challenged by a strong southern accent from the USA - and that's in my own country!