Movie Review: ‘Beautifool’ struggles to get off the Ground

As October 2021 made its way out, ‘Beautifool’ made its way into cinemas. Primarily helmed by Richard Omos Iboyi, this Nollywood release hit cinemas as the…

Movie: Beautifool

Director: Richards Omos-Iboyi

Producers: Richards Omos-Iboyi, Iyoha Cletus Osaze

Released: 29 October 2021

 

As October 2021 made its way out, ‘Beautifool’ made its way into cinemas. Primarily helmed by Richard Omos Iboyi, this Nollywood release hit cinemas as the tenth month of the year was reaching its close, alongside the likes of Progressive Tailors’ Club, and the Venom sequel.

Iboyi produces and directs ‘Beautifool,’ which stars Taiwo Obileye, Enyinna Nwigwe, and Priscilla Okpara. Tana Adelana, Kelvin Ikeduba, and Anthony Monjaro also feature in this late 2021 release. But this movie gets off to something of a disjointed start. Something is happening in one place, then another and another, and without really telling us much. Its opening act isn’t as introductory as it should be, and if you’re hasty, you’d think it was setting up a weird concurrent anthology of events.

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Eventually, all three different film spheres will find each other and become one. But it’s not just the convergence that turns out to be flawed, it’s the journey in itself. ‘Beautifool’ starts off on something of a weak footing, and much of what follows would be seen as a film struggling to correct that false start and come good.

As such, it’s no surprise – even though it’s a terrible move – that this movie seems to try everything after that weird opening, right till its end. It tries situational comedy, as well as complete slapstick hysteria. There’s also an attempt at building jeopardy, not to mention redemption, and consequence. It takes a shot at romance, friendship, betrayal, and all without any real substance. This is a movie that does too many things, but none of them really work in any sense.

Hence, ‘Beautifool’ is more laughable than funny, more annoying than intriguing, and can be better described as lazy than it could be as redemptive. It uses something of an ensemble cast, but there isn’t much to hold onto from anyone you watch. And if Priscilla Okpara as Ebere is the lead character, she’s both underused and overcooked, while being thrown into a clichéd story, with a tired trope that didn’t really work even while it was rife.

The acting is flawed, and the characterisation is underwhelming, all of which tie into a lazy and hasty plot, whereby too much is happening, but nothing is really being done. ‘Beautifool’ tries to serve up some jeopardy and intrigue as it reaches some form of climax, but the movie’s desperation to douse any kind of deadly moment with artificial comic relief really undoes whatever kind of salvation it seeks.

Editing flaws also linger, as do cinematographic mishaps. All of which sums up this film into a badly-wrapped box. Ultimately, this turns out to be a movie that doesn’t really turn out to be enjoyable, but almost pleas to be tolerated. There’s something overtly flawed about ‘Beautifool’ that in the end, the only connection you have with the film is how the title reflects one’s decision to indulge it.

Cast: Tana Adelana, Chika Agwuike,  Esther Enoch, Sochima Ezeoke, Kevin Ikeduba, Anthony Monjaro, Bethel Njoku, Enyinna Nwigwe, Taiwo Obileye, Gregory Ojefua and Kunle Remi                 

Culled from sodasandpopcorn.ng