Movie Review: Breath Of Life (2023) on Prime Video is a Work of Excellence

Synopsis: Breath of Life portrays the story of a former clergyman who loses everything he holds dear, including his faith, and goes on a journey of self-transformation when his life is taken over by his Christian houseboy.

The Cast  

• Wale Ojo – Timi
• Ademola Adedoyin – Young Timi
• Bimbo Manuel – Mr. Coker
• Sam Dede – Chief Okonkwo
• Chimezie Imo – Elijah
• Eku Edewor – Bridget
• Ashionye Michelle Raccah – Mrs. Okonkwo
• Genoveva Umeh – Anna
• Tina Mba – Mama Ayo
• Chiedozie Nzeribe Sambasa – Baby Fire
• Hugh Thorley – Magistrate
• Melanie Atari – Alison
• Taiwo Familoni – Family Doctor

The Crew

• Bodunrin Sasore – Writer and Director   
• Eku Edewor – Producer

The Review

Do not let the title of this movie deceive you; Breath Of Life is full of tragedy, comedy, romance, memorable dialogue, the whole gamut. It will make you laugh out loud, cry, get angry, and give you goosebumps.

This is a period movie (a period movie specifically refers to a film that is set during an earlier time – Editor), and the producers take some artistic license, but in terms of costume, casting, dialogue, location, it is a well thought out and excellently acted production. The movie makes you think of what you would do if you were in the same situation.

Ademola Adedoyin and Wale Ojo have great screen chemistry, though they do not have any interactions, as they act the same role. The younger and older versions of the character is done seamlessly, and you would believe they were the same person grown old. Wale Ojo is such a delight to watch. Despite his many years of acting, he takes every role as if it is his first time, and he acts with all passion, leaving everything on stage.

Ademola has had multiple roles in movies, mostly tilting towards a quiet villain. It is amazing to see him as a reverend gentleman who is eventually pushed to revenge and becomes a recluse. Tina Mba has just a cameo appearance, but the way she acts the role, you would think it is the lead role.

Chimezie Imo as Elijah tugs at your heartstrings, you begin to anticipate his quirks, and mannerisms. Genoveva Umeh has already established herself in Nollywood and this role is made for her. She embodies the role perfectly, she expresses passion, and exudes so much charisma on the screen. There is good chemistry between her and Chimezie, and you long for the sweet young love between them. Even their fights are filled with so much passion.

Some of the parts of the movie make you wonder, though. How did Timi maintain his wealth while being a recluse? How did he stay under the elements for 9 days? Yet, these questions do not take away from the excellence of the movie.

The story is well woven, despite being fiction, you relate with some of the historical facts woven into it.

The locations truly provide a great backdrop for the story, and I recognize some of these places. The costumes are also designed to tell their own stories and demonstrate the stage of life the character is in, or the emotions that they are expressing. This is a movie that is set to be a classic and it has a great rewatch value.

NollyRated Score for Breath Of Life

Score: 5/5 (Outstanding Movie)

NollyRated uses a 5-level scoring system, as follows:

1. Poor
2. Sub Par
3. Okay
4. Great
5. Outstanding

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