Sports-themed movies are a rarity in Nollywood, which perhaps allows them to dodge the harsh critiques that often accompany other genres. This year saw the release of the disappointing Aburo, which failed to deliver a compelling story. In comparison, Onye Egwu stands out as a superior effort, easily outshining Aburo. However, despite its relative success, Onye Egwu is far from a magnum opus. It falls short of being a defining moment for this niche subgenre, marred by its numerous flaws.
The storytelling in Onye Egwu is straightforward, benefiting from a focused plot that avoids the pitfalls of overcomplication—a significant flaw in Aburo. The film promptly acquaints us with the central characters: Alex, a once-promising footballer facing the decline of his career due to persistent injuries, and Nedu, a young talent just beginning to lay the foundations for his own career amidst the challenges of his impoverished background. This clear and concise narrative allows the audience to quickly become invested in their journeys.
Onye Egwu features a wide array of characters, each playing a crucial role in the story. In Alex’s camp, we encounter his baby mama, who is blamed for his misfortunes, and family members striving to help him turn his life around. The story truly shines in Nedu’s portion, where the plot delves into his familial dynamics. Nedu’s mother supports his football aspirations while emphasizing the importance of having a fallback plan through education. Additionally, a compelling rivalry unfolds between Nedu and his best friend, Uduak, a fellow footballer, fueled by Nedu’s superior skills and a shared romantic interest.
There’s a compelling parallel between the mothers of the young footballers in Onye Egwu. Ngozika, Nedu’s single mother, embodies practicality and caution. While she acknowledges Nedu’s talent, her support for his football dreams is tempered by the harsh realities of their life. Struggling to provide for her three children through her modest akara business, Ngozika can only afford to place so much faith in uncertain dreams. On the other hand, Eno, the mother of Nedu’s best friend, represents a stark contrast. Financially comfortable, Eno wholeheartedly supports her son’s football ambitions, even extending her support to the entire team. Her secure economic status allows her the luxury to gamble on her son’s future; if football doesn’t pan out, she has the means to guide him down an alternative path. Both mothers deeply care for their sons and want the best for them, but their differing economic situations shape the extent and manner of their support. This nuanced portrayal highlights the profound impact of socioeconomic status on parental decisions and aspirations.
Nedu and Alex are positioned as the lead characters in Onye Egwu, but despite Alex’s extensive screen time, his character remains underdeveloped. The audience is told about Alex’s career highs through dialogue rather than shown, which diminishes the impact of his current struggles. Consequently, there’s little to make viewers empathize with Alex or root for his comeback beyond the basic desire to see a man reclaim his career. Zubby Michael’s portrayal of Alex doesn’t help the character either. His performance is marked by a monotonous and dour expression throughout the film, lacking the emotional depth needed to make Alex’s plight resonate. The direction fails to inject variety into his performance, and the script doesn’t provide emotionally charged moments that could engage the audience and drive his character forward. Alex’s character lacks embellishments and nuances that could have added complexity and relatability. Essentially, he could have been any well-connected or wealthy individual serving as a catalyst for Nedu’s rise.
The comedy in Onye Egwu is primarily subtle. While Broda Shaggi and Williams Uchemba bring their well-known expressive humor to the film, the rest of the comedic elements are more understated. These moments are cleverly integrated as character quirks or naturally emerge from the dialogue, enhancing the story without overshadowing the drama. This balanced approach ensures that the humor complements the overall tone of the movie.
For a film about football, there should have been more scenes with the sport. Also, with how the movie develops, especially the parts with Alex, the emotional core that this movie could have had is underplayed. This, right here, is the biggest injury with Onye Egwu.
The plot of this movie leaves some questions. For instance, why did Ngozika choose to deliver the drink intended to poison Nedu days before the match, rather than on the day itself, when its effects would be most critical? Also, Alex is told by his sister that his baby mama is behind his plight and he comes to Nigeria to seek help but they’re not shown together. Instead, Alex is seen seeking assistance from various random sources. This raises the question of why his sister identified a problem without also proposing a solution.
The performances in Onye Egwu are mostly good. Kayode Ojuolape shines as Nedu. He brings a layered expressiveness to his character that is absolutely fitting. Uche Jombo also delivers a commendable performance as a mother. Ini Edo brings a good dose of mischief and comedy to her portrayal, and her performance is the most colourful in Onye Egwu. Eric Emeka also gives a good counterbalanced performance as Nedu’s best friend and properly displays their love-rivalry dynamic. As earlier stated, Zubby Michael’s performance wasn’t engaging but much blame should also be given to how the plot explores his character and the direction he’s given as the actor gets. The rest of the cast performs competently, though many of them are typecast in familiar roles.
In conclusion, Onye Egwu offers a promising story with its unique focus on football. While the film excels in its performances, it falters in delivering a compelling emotional core and showcasing the sport itself.
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