MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Bros’ Directed By John Oguntuase
Reviewed By Ajibare Abioye
Hey folks! How are you all doing? This is one review that I’m so excited to be doing because it’s such a good watch. After a postponement in its release from the last day of last year to January 6, 2023, “Bros” has stormed the internet with something special. As a gospel movie reviewer, I’m constantly on the lookout for new, creative takes on the Christian film genre. 2022 was largely devoid of this, but in only the early days of this new year, things are seriously looking up, for “Bros” is truly a unique endeavour. So, what makes this movie special?
Make no mistake, a key genre of “Bros” is comedy and to stick to that through nearly all its runtime without compromising its message is a laudable achievement. This wasn’t comedy just for the sake of amusement, but on every occasion, incredibly propelled the plot. I’d like to appreciate John Oguntuase who conceived the story and directed the movie, as well as the screenwriter, Ayo “Cineman” Olaleye who also wrote the curtain raiser motion picture for this year, “Borrowed Time”. I believe it’d bless both the body of Christ and any movie lover out there who doesn’t yet understand what Jesus has in store for His followers.
From the outset, I could tell that the crew of “Bros” have a proper understanding of the art of filmmaking. The opening sequence of scenes and credits was on-point. The music department did very well and their work is a major reason the film’s humour landed each time. If the distasteful repetition of original soundtracks at the beginning of every scene, common to some Christian movies, had been adopted, most of its humour would have been dead on arrival, rooting the movie’s mood to a spot. The scores by David Eziolisa were memorable and accentuated each atmosphere portrayed in the film.
Characterisation-wise, the poster picture of “Bros” rightly designates Dede, Glory and Tobi as leads. The two heros, played by Pastors Seyi Obembe and Abolaji Adeola, shared a commendable on-screen chemistry and it’s remarkable that most of their dialogue is in pidgin English. These two outdid themselves to reflect their profane, unbelieving characters who went as far as learning Christianese to accomplish their target. And herein lies one of the key messages of “Bros”, particularly for genuine children of God: there are evil, unscrupulous men out there, there are wolves ready to devour sheep, and there are lions and bears primed to carry away naïve or negligent lambs.
Therefore, we need to be as shrewd as a snake and inoffensive as a dove. We need to follow our Shepherd, the only One who knows what is in the heart of every man.
The heroine, Glory, played by Abiola Jinadu, shows the gentleness, gullibility, vulnerability and confusion of her character well. Her sincerity in prayer for God’s help and her recognition of her pastoral covering open the door of safety from danger to her. I believe unbelieving men would see “Bros” and see as in Dede’s case, that God has arms open for every lost person in the world when they come to Him. The movie also spreads its tentacles in a remarkably concise manner to Dare’s choice in a display of wisdom that would make him enjoy both his calling and courtship. I’m quite sure that this is one movie that I would watch multiple times and get new insights on each viewing.
The six-minute montage that ends “Bros” was beautiful and said so much without a word; the movie understands the “Show, Don’t Tell” principle. Lastly, “Bros” attempts something I doubt has ever been done in any Nigerian Christian movie, and that’s to have a mid-credits scene that acts as either a wonderful cliffhanger or a very meaningful open plot-end that in a way, is a warning of the last days. That was just wow…
If you’ve watched the movie, you’d have seen the ad for the producer’s next film – a potentially high concept movie titled PRᴁY – and with what we’ve seen in “Bros”, it’s going to be a quality production that would require a lot of finances. I’d therefore like to lend my voice to their request for partnership and sponsorship. So, as the Lord blesses us, I urge us to support drama ministries with our resources, so that gospel film production outfits can keep reeling out quality stuff like this.
In conclusion, beneath the comic surface of “Bros” lies deep, heart-touching lessons. I would say it quite achieves a necessary balance between entertainment, edification, enlightenment and salvation.
What are you waiting for? If you haven’t seen it, click on this link https://youtu.be/Ix0c44trd1w. If you have, please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below. Thank you very much.
Till the next article, stay blessed!
Film Credits:
Bros (January 6, 2023)
2nd Touch Production
84 minutes
Cast
Seyi Obembe as Dede
Abolaji Adeola as Tobi
Abiola Jinadu as Glory
Seun Adejumobi as Dare
Abiodun Bamgbala as Pastor Akande
Crew
Director
John Oguntuase
Screenplay
Ayo “Cineman” Olaleye
Director of Photography
Kunle Adepoju
Editor
Adisa Tijani
