Movie Review: "Lost In London"
Screenwriters: Uduak Isong Oguamanam, Anthony Kehinde Joseph
Editor: Uche Alexmoore
Cinematographer: Daniyal Harris Vajda
Music: Nathaniel George
Associate Producers: Ella Betts, Ellen Ding, Khafi Kareem
Producer: Uduak Isong Oguamanam
Executive Producers: Chidi Oguamanam, Anietie Isong, Uduak Isong Oguamanam
Director: Sunkanmi Adebayo
Cast
Ime Bishop Umoh
Alexx Ekubo
Stanley “Chibunna” Funnybone
Ella Bates
Kemi Olofinmakin
James Morgan
Production Studios: Closer Pictures
Distribution Company: FilmOne Distribution, Genesis Cinemas
Running Time: 120 minutes
Date Released: 9th June, 2017
Country: Nigeria, UK
Language: English; Igbo, Efik, Pidgin English (subtitled in English)
Synopsis
“Lost In London” is a very hilarious tale about Okon and Bona, who, as students, were selected for an exchange program in London. They undergo series of challenging but hilarious experiences in diverse situations whilst making frantic efforts to earn some hard cash before returning to Nigeria. But both men prove their mettle by staying strong through it all. A proof that the Nigerian spirit cannot be broken.
Critique
Before I begin…I must say that I will try my best to be as objective and impartial as I can. This is because this movie was seasoned, spiced, and stewed by a crew that boasts of some people that I have actually had the privilege of meeting in person. And they are very good and adept at what they do. So I have to try hard to eliminate any sentimental undertones here.
The Good
The first thing that caught my attention was the prologue that had Okon screaming that he was finally going to London. It was just so apt in letting we the audience know that, we were not only just about to see a truly comedic flick, but that we were also in for a jolly good treat!
The concept behind the story was quite refreshing, as it wove a seemingly cliché premise into something fresh.
Let’s look at this way: we have seen the likes of Osuofia in London, Mr. Ibu in London, and 30 Days in Atlanta put up the premise of Nigerians who by stroke of serendipity found themselves in foreign lands, and bumbled their way through various challenges, over there. However it won’t take more than a glance to spot that these movies were slapstick comedy flicks.
And God knows that I have been eagerly hoping for the day when Nollywood will begin to take a detour from the "Slapstick Highway".
Today, I dare say that that day has finally come! And Lost In London is that long heralded harbinger…. Lost In London plays around the
aforementioned premise just like these other movies did. But it trumps them all by the singular fact that it is in no way a slapstick comedy.
Its plot was well structured, the dialogue was so witty that you didn’t need all that Slapstick-esque physical comedy manoeuvers to get the audience reeling with laughter. The mannerisms and gesticulations of Okon, and the quick-paced witty words of Bona was more than enough to get the audience choking with laughter.
The events and situations…seemed to elicit the humour. The actors didn’t force the humour on the events and situations. All the actors did was react accordingly to the situation, and boom! It was laughter galore all the way! A typical example of this, was the scene where a young man was munching on a muffin as if to tease a famished Okon, who in turn reacted accordingly by humorously laying curses in Efik on the young man.
The Director and the Cinematographer clearly did their home work. As the cinematography of this movie was above average. The camera angles were pretty cool. I loved the tilt shot that captured the scene where Bona stood in front of the hotel for a few seconds, before going in. The lighting, top-notch! The editing was impressive. Kudos to the Director and Editor!
The sound was loud and clear! It’s probably of a hi-fi Dolby Digital Stereo Surround quality, I guess.
The subtitles were well written. Though the text fonts could have been better.
The props were well utilized, from Bona’s mop stick to Okon’s ankara muffler.
The production designer did a good job with the interiors of the various locations used. As they clearly reflected the mood of their respective scenes.
I was very impressed with Ime Bishop Umoh’s performance, as he reprised his role as Okon with so much verve and gusto.
And Alexx Ekubo never ceases to amaze me by how much he keeps getting better and better with each passing role. He put up a worthy performance!
Ella Bates brought the the much needed balance that this movie needed. I loved the onscreen chemistry between her and Alexx.
The Bad
I kept straining my eyes to see if I could spot Uche Jombo, just like some of the movie’s posters and PR articles had stated. But she wasn’t in sight.
I felt the montage scenes for Bona, at the beginning of the film, was a bit stretched. Could have been shorter.
One of the actors mistakenly looked at the camera. Though it was like a flash in the pan kind of look. Then a passerby at the ticket checkpoint almost ruined that scene by staring into the camera for some seconds.
One could tell that the guide who took Bona to his school, wasn’t comfortable in front of the camera.
If there were other blips in this flick, I probably didn’t notice them, because I was too busy laughing my socks off! This movie freaking rocks!!!
The Ugly
There was absolutely nothing ugly about Lost In London!
Commentary
Now this is what I'm talking about! Now, Nollywood is beginning to get a hang of what a true comedy film should be like! Lost In London is a refreshing detour from the norm. All Hail the Harbinger!!!
Verdict
If you are a lover of true comedy (not like I have anything against slapsticks), then you ought to go see Lost In London, now!!! I hereby rate this awesome flick 4 stars out of 5.
Editor: Uche Alexmoore
Cinematographer: Daniyal Harris Vajda
Music: Nathaniel George
Associate Producers: Ella Betts, Ellen Ding, Khafi Kareem
Producer: Uduak Isong Oguamanam
Executive Producers: Chidi Oguamanam, Anietie Isong, Uduak Isong Oguamanam
Director: Sunkanmi Adebayo
Cast
Ime Bishop Umoh
Alexx Ekubo
Stanley “Chibunna” Funnybone
Ella Bates
Kemi Olofinmakin
James Morgan
Production Studios: Closer Pictures
Distribution Company: FilmOne Distribution, Genesis Cinemas
Running Time: 120 minutes
Date Released: 9th June, 2017
Country: Nigeria, UK
Language: English; Igbo, Efik, Pidgin English (subtitled in English)
 |
| With my Buddy, Nkechi Nwabudike |
 |
| With the Bishop himself |
 |
| With the Director, Sunkanmi Adebayo |
Synopsis
“Lost In London” is a very hilarious tale about Okon and Bona, who, as students, were selected for an exchange program in London. They undergo series of challenging but hilarious experiences in diverse situations whilst making frantic efforts to earn some hard cash before returning to Nigeria. But both men prove their mettle by staying strong through it all. A proof that the Nigerian spirit cannot be broken.
Critique
Before I begin…I must say that I will try my best to be as objective and impartial as I can. This is because this movie was seasoned, spiced, and stewed by a crew that boasts of some people that I have actually had the privilege of meeting in person. And they are very good and adept at what they do. So I have to try hard to eliminate any sentimental undertones here.
The Good
The first thing that caught my attention was the prologue that had Okon screaming that he was finally going to London. It was just so apt in letting we the audience know that, we were not only just about to see a truly comedic flick, but that we were also in for a jolly good treat!
The concept behind the story was quite refreshing, as it wove a seemingly cliché premise into something fresh.
Let’s look at this way: we have seen the likes of Osuofia in London, Mr. Ibu in London, and 30 Days in Atlanta put up the premise of Nigerians who by stroke of serendipity found themselves in foreign lands, and bumbled their way through various challenges, over there. However it won’t take more than a glance to spot that these movies were slapstick comedy flicks.
And God knows that I have been eagerly hoping for the day when Nollywood will begin to take a detour from the "Slapstick Highway".
Today, I dare say that that day has finally come! And Lost In London is that long heralded harbinger…. Lost In London plays around the
aforementioned premise just like these other movies did. But it trumps them all by the singular fact that it is in no way a slapstick comedy.
Its plot was well structured, the dialogue was so witty that you didn’t need all that Slapstick-esque physical comedy manoeuvers to get the audience reeling with laughter. The mannerisms and gesticulations of Okon, and the quick-paced witty words of Bona was more than enough to get the audience choking with laughter.
The events and situations…seemed to elicit the humour. The actors didn’t force the humour on the events and situations. All the actors did was react accordingly to the situation, and boom! It was laughter galore all the way! A typical example of this, was the scene where a young man was munching on a muffin as if to tease a famished Okon, who in turn reacted accordingly by humorously laying curses in Efik on the young man.
The Director and the Cinematographer clearly did their home work. As the cinematography of this movie was above average. The camera angles were pretty cool. I loved the tilt shot that captured the scene where Bona stood in front of the hotel for a few seconds, before going in. The lighting, top-notch! The editing was impressive. Kudos to the Director and Editor!
The sound was loud and clear! It’s probably of a hi-fi Dolby Digital Stereo Surround quality, I guess.
The subtitles were well written. Though the text fonts could have been better.
The props were well utilized, from Bona’s mop stick to Okon’s ankara muffler.
The production designer did a good job with the interiors of the various locations used. As they clearly reflected the mood of their respective scenes.
I was very impressed with Ime Bishop Umoh’s performance, as he reprised his role as Okon with so much verve and gusto.
And Alexx Ekubo never ceases to amaze me by how much he keeps getting better and better with each passing role. He put up a worthy performance!
Ella Bates brought the the much needed balance that this movie needed. I loved the onscreen chemistry between her and Alexx.
The Bad
I kept straining my eyes to see if I could spot Uche Jombo, just like some of the movie’s posters and PR articles had stated. But she wasn’t in sight.
I felt the montage scenes for Bona, at the beginning of the film, was a bit stretched. Could have been shorter.
One of the actors mistakenly looked at the camera. Though it was like a flash in the pan kind of look. Then a passerby at the ticket checkpoint almost ruined that scene by staring into the camera for some seconds.
One could tell that the guide who took Bona to his school, wasn’t comfortable in front of the camera.
If there were other blips in this flick, I probably didn’t notice them, because I was too busy laughing my socks off! This movie freaking rocks!!!
The Ugly
There was absolutely nothing ugly about Lost In London!
Commentary
Now this is what I'm talking about! Now, Nollywood is beginning to get a hang of what a true comedy film should be like! Lost In London is a refreshing detour from the norm. All Hail the Harbinger!!!
Verdict
If you are a lover of true comedy (not like I have anything against slapsticks), then you ought to go see Lost In London, now!!! I hereby rate this awesome flick 4 stars out of 5.
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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments on this blog, are solely those of the commentators and does not in any way reflect or represent the views of Ebukah E. Nzeji.