Cinquante

I've never before seen a Nollywood film, so I was intrigued as to what director Biyi Bandele's 'Fifty' would be like. As it turns out, it was pretty much an African version of 'Dynasty'!

The film is about four affluent Lagos women who are 'of a certain age'. There's Elizabeth, a celebrity obstetrician whose taste in young men has led her daughter to disown her; Kate, a party planner becoming increasingly influenced by religion; Maria, a high-flying construction executive who discovers she is pregnant; and Tola, a reality television star with a dark family secret. Their story lines join, separate and join again before resolving themselves in best TV movie fashion.

It's not challenging at all, but certainly diverting and entertaining. Although all four lead actresses get their turns to emote, only Nse Ikpe-Etim, as Kate, has a consistently challenging role as the reason for her character's turn to religion is revealed. Bandele makes full use of Lagos' skyline with sweeping establishing shots over the city, although by the end of the film you may feel you've seen quite enough of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, as attractive a piece of engineering as it is.

Women are the focal point and Lagos is just a beauty. One could watch the movie without blinking the eye starring at what never looks like Lagos, but still is. Funny and lively, one smiles dubiously even when you are being portrayed on screen as either one of the women or few of the guys or perhaps the parents. Pity, Hatred and repetition seem to surrounds the movie as seen in Lekki Bridge; and among the women whose connections wasn't detailed much. Bandele's work is evident and he is really making a world renowned brand with Nigerian stories. In general, Fifty is standard, beautiful and lively, it is expected to be thrilling at the end but the goose in my pimples didn't show off much but I was happy remembering few lines and scenes at the end.

14 May 2020: Last year 2019, I started watching movies and television shows made in Africa, mainly Nigeria and Kenya. I would like to see the "Fifty" soap opera run for many years like American soap opera dramas. I like every episode.

Since I was born and lived in USA my entire life watching American movies and t.v show, I am Not use to seeing an All African (black) cast in soap opera dramas, but it is a real nice change of pace and the African actors/actresses are just as talented as their counterparts in North America. I really enjoyed watching pretty and talented African actresses Dakore Agbuson, Adesua Etomi and the so beautiful and talented, Pearl Thusi and the male actors are good too, Chris Attoh and other. Go Nollywood go.