Tokunbo might not have boast of a totally-rich cast but it has done well to bring the best of out the cast

By Enitan Abdultawab

While Nollywood lovers are still reeling in the new-found love of biopic, Ramsey Noah heaves into sight a major issue that has been told severally, albeit much more dramatically now – survival instinct, especially of the common man in Nigeria. This is in light of how a few passionate individuals at the helm of affairs set to formulate policies that would ease the lives of the common men but are altered by a bigger portion of selfish individuals.

Sets in the metropolitan city of Lagos, Nigeria, Tokunbo is a movie that follows the travails of a titular character, Tokunbo, who takes it upon himself to traffic a kidnapped child of a particular destination so as to raise money to pay for his ailing son.

At first, Tokunbo does not want to take this job having totally withdrawn from this illegal business of vehicle smuggling from neighbouring countries and had settled down to be a family man. This is what we see at the start of the movie but fast forward to eighteen (18) months later, Tokunbo’s driving business cannot raise a whooping ₦9.5million. Hence, the need to veer into a dangerous escapade yet again.

Thematic Allure

Tokunbo does not really paints a picture we have not seen before. On its part, the movie projects the moral decadence at the administrative helms of affairs. As much as the masses continue to suffer for the complacency of the government, a few at the top want to ensure that masses are well-represented in terms of the policies they formulate. However, these few are suppressed with condemnation and abject opposition which often come in form of death threats or usurpation. This is in the case of Folashade who, having become the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, wishes to formulate policies that would enable the naira to gain enough value but is confronted with the kidnap of her only child and daughter.

Obviously, the movie shows how Lagos thrives under the cyclic spate of despotic individuals who uncharismatically rule without fear or favour. These individuals are ‘tools’ that political holders use in their handiworks and, as such, make these individuals misbehave as much as they want. Gaza, played by Chidi Mokeme, is a ruthless ‘Area Father’ who has a network of power with Raymond (Majid Michel) who is the Deputy Governor to Folashade, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Gaza forces himself on Iya Muli (Àdùnní Ade), cuts off Godwin’s arm and further dictates how the whole neighbourhood is run.

Cinematographic Allure

Tokunbo excels in its cinematography. The movie employs a rich motion picture that is perfert for each scene of the movie. Despite that Ramsey Noah might not have showcased a great deal of material glitz, it gently moves from the space of middle-class to upper-class, with Tokunbo’s search for money setting the pace of the movie.

In fact, what is to be noted is that Ramsey Noah does not drag the plot unnecessarily as it is fast-paced in tune with the mobility of Tokunbo and the kidnapped child, Nike, from one location to the other. Tokunbo thus breaks a bucketful of sweats during this strenous ordeal, an indication that he is indeed living through a hard time.

The setting of Gaza’s workshop is a bottomless pit of hell where he engages in several illegal activities. The twist to finally bring Tokunbo back here for a fisty showdown makes sense. The stunts in the fight, the slow-motioned scene in some scenes are successfully implemented to purge emotions from viewers – the movie is indeed emotional.

Cast Allure

The cast of Tokunbo includes Gideon Okeke, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Darasimi Nadi, Norbert Young, Ivie Okujaye, Tosin Adeyemi, Stanley Chibunna, Adunni Ade, Chidi Mokeme, Majid Michel, and many others.

Tokunbo might not have boast of a totally-rich cast but it has done well to bring the best of out the cast. Gideon Okeke put up a show, Chidi Mokeme would have thought he was re-acting Shanty Town, Majid Michel offered a ‘Don’ character and Funnybone helped to ease the tension of the plot with his humorous acts.

The take-home

Yes, Tokunbo has a good story with an emotional undertone but leaves viewers with a lot of questions. One baffling thought is the driving force behind Raymond’s (Majid Michel) kidnapping his boss’ daughter. Same is for Aziba, Folashade’s PA, even though it is seen that she is in a relationship with Raymond.

Also, Tokunbo does not offer any new perspective to the issue of corruption in the movie. The plot is not new, and the twists at the end are not totally unexpected.

Rating

Good – 6/10.

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