Directed by Jade Osiberu, Gangs of Lagos is a seminal Nollywood movie, reflecting the harsh realities of a mega-city whose public services are largely under the control of nefarious street gangs and quasi-civil organizations who in turn report to a hierarchy of crime lords while the kingpin sits at the top, overseeing the crime network and workings of the metropolis, covertly pulling its strings. It’s not the plot that deserves accolades, even though the suspense-thriller storyline is worthy of a nod, but its delivery and execution. While many Nollywood films fall victim to the usual flaws of over-selling on an inadequate budget or limited special effects, Gangs of Lagos successfully steers clear of these pitfalls by recognizing its local limitations from the outset and successfully compensating for them with intelligent camera angles, plot inferences and good acting.
The film is similar to the 2002 American classic Gangs of New York by Martin Scorsese in that it explores the struggles of rival gangs for control of the city and revenge. However, while New York is set in history, Lagos is set in contemporary times and thus largely relatable to at least its local audience. Without giving away any spoilers, the story is centred around a young boy whose father, a member of an infamous street gang, was murdered in cold blood by assassins dressed as Eyo masquerades. The boy, Obalola, together with fellow urchins, Gift and Ify, is then raised in the streets by his late father’s affiliates- much to the chagrin of his fervently religious mother. He later abandons her for a suave gang leader called Nino (Tayo Faniran) who shows him the ropes and the finer things in life until, like Obalola’s father, Nino too is murdered. A crushed Obalola is then taken under wing by Nino’s friend, growing up to be a dogged and resourceful soldier of the streets. As the film progresses, things go pear-shaped for Obalola and his childhood friends who dream of escaping the ghetto someday and becoming successful.
I have to commend the casting choices made for the film as this is usually key to a stellar performance. At first, I must admit I had reservations about the amiable Adesuwa Utomi being cast as a local mobster. Surely, she looked too soft (‘ajebutter’ in local parlance) for the role. But she cleared all my doubts with a powerful portrayal of Gift as a snarling, menacing tomboy who wore her heart on her sleeve. Suffice it to say she killed it alongside the main character, Obalola (played by Tobi Bakre). They took us on an interesting ride of street camaraderie, pain, loss, and raw survival. She complimented Obalola’s innate reticence with her unbridled and raucous passion.
Another character who added colour to the film was Mama Ify played by the veteran actress, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha. She was well-suited for the role, bringing natural confidence and positivity to her character to contrast her son’s insecurity. Chioma brought everything to bear in one particularly moving scene which was pivotal to the story arc. Her son, Ify, played by Chike Osebuka, is a struggling artiste in the slums of Lagos Island, praying for a big break while he worked the streets. Along with veteran Fuji musician, Pasuma (who played the gangster ‘London’), they made up a duo of real-life singer-songwriters in the movie and both put up a commendable performance.
One challenge observed in certain Nollywood movies is a disproportionate focus on one aspect of film over another- for instance, quality production over good storytelling. Sometimes the cinematography is quite commendable but the script lets it down with various plot holes and underutilized characters. Sometimes the acting is too dramatic–making it more appropriate for the stage rather than film where expressions are expected to be subtler and more dependent on cameras to accentuate them. Gangs of Lagos escapes these traps and unfolds before us a tale of love, suspense, well-choreographed fight scenes, plot twists, and natural acting: necessary ingredients for a good suspense-thriller. No wonder it also has a good Rotten Tomatoes rating.
If any parts fell a bit short, it would be the brief scenes with the youngsters alone. It seemed to lack a certain genuine synergy at times but we hung in there nonetheless as they worked their way through. I don’t know about you but another scene that left me a bit underwhelmed was (spoiler alert) Obalola’s outburst in the car while driving the kingpin’s daughter, Teni (Bimbo Ademoye). I felt it begged a deeper, more impassioned speech. As a man of few words, his exasperation was palpable in this brief moment but the scene seemed to miss the opportunity to vent the minds of many frustrated youths out there. Those prevented from reaching their potential by a well-oiled system that reserves such opportunities for a privileged few and keeps them heavily dependent on it and malleable. A heartfelt rant there would have resonated quite well with the audience. Ah well… what happened shortly afterward quickly took our minds away from what could have been.
It was a bright idea to use a narrator to guide us through the ebb and flow of the story while respecting our intellect enough to allow us connect some dots ourselves. This is another nagging issue in some Nollywood movies: patronising the viewer and leaving nothing for him to decipher. Gangs of Lagos slalomed through these typical pitfalls and safely brought us to an end that may or may not have been expected- but satisfying regardless.
Towards the end, certain events in the movie seem to suggest a possible sequel in the future. I guess that’s the albatross around Jade Osiberu’s neck for now. To run the gauntlet of outrageous expectations and make a sequel or to walk away with this Nigerian classic.
Only time will tell.
Gangs of Lagos is available on Prime Video.
Gangs of Lagos is a true classic indeed. Permit me to dare mention some of the possible expectations:
1. Teni, the kingpin’s daughter goes rogue after watching the death of her father and seeing the culprit (Obalola). Sets up her new gang of elite criminals to revenge her father’s death. She would do this because of the pain and betrayal she felt. Not just from the loss her father, but because he died at the hands of her childhood sweetheart and lover.
2. The new madam governor that fearlessly spoke and fought against the former administration for promoting and sponsoring thuggery becomes power drunk and tries to use Obalola and gang or even create a new gang and does even worse.
3. Obalola cleans up nice, goes to school and joins mainstream politics but gets killed at the peak of his success and career by a kid whose father or loved one he had previously hurt in his street days.
I hope Jade Osiberu does not tow any of these lines and ruin the classic for obvious reasons. Best to allow the sleeping dog lie!
By the way, that was a great review.
Wao! This is a very good and apt summary of the movie in its entirety. The writer was able to bring to fore some salient points touching on the pros and cons of the movie.
Well done!