Tokunbo is Ramsey Noah’s third film, following “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free” (2019) and “Rattle Snake” (2020), all of which gained him Nollywood prizes from the AMVCA. The prolific actor continues his career development, but this time as a director, with this new film.
But it’s entirely new territory for Ramsey Noah in his development as a movie director, as his prior two films were remakes of popular Nollywood classics from which he could play safe. However, with “Tokunbo,” he was forced to experiment without a template to draw on for inspiration. So “Tokunbo” marks his beginning as a director who is now more confident in his craft after his two remakes.
The film “Tokunbo” is about Tokunbo (Gideon Oke), an ex-car smuggler who has three hours to deliver the CBN Governor’s daughter to her kidnapper or his family will suffer. Tokunbo is a Yoruba name for a child born abroad and a general phrase for imported products or merchandise. So, strangely, when the film begins, Tokunbo is smuggling a car from the Benin Republic into Nigeria when a police patrol pursues him.
After delivering the car, Tokunbo informs Gaza (Chidi Mokeme) that this is his final assignment now that he has become a father. 18 months later, the infant experiences medical difficulties that necessitate a surgical procedure costing 9.5 million Naira, but Tokunbo is unable to raise the funds until an anonymous caller sends him on a series of drop-offs from which he profited greatly.
However, these drop-offs serve as a test for a more perilous one: transfer the kidnapped daughter, Nike (Darasimi Nadi), of the CBN governor, Folashade (Funlola Aofiyebi-Rami), to Seme with the promise of 30 million Naira after the job. Tokunbo grudgingly agrees when he learns that his wife Lisa (Tosin Adeyemi) has also been kidnapped by the unidentified caller, but also because the money will aid with his child’s surgery.
The Netflix film depicts the lengths to which a father would go to protect his family, even if it means committing a crime. Tokunbo soon discovers that police have set up roadblocks throughout the city in search of the daughter of a high-profile government figure, which has been widely reported.
“Tokunbo” lacks in vitality to propel forward this action movie without thrill. Some of the actions in the movie are hindered by a lack of emotional resonance and also a paucity of thrilling experiences for a movie about a countdown and a car chase. The shortage of adrenaline rush common to movies of this genre renders “Tokunbo” inert and tedious to watch. Tokunbo is mysteriously allowed to pass through a checkpoint, while Nike, whose face has been all over the news, sits in the same car.
We hadn’t even noticed it. It is not until the third act that we see a real car pursuit with a helicopter, but it is brief and poorly done. “Tokunbo” is further complicated by the slow pace of the movie, which renders both the performances and dialogue stale. Even the most important scenes are filmed without enthusiasm, resulting in an uninspired and drab final product, such as when Gaza amputates Godwin, Iya Mulika’s (Adunni Ade) nephew. The scene aptly surmises the lifelessness of the movie.
Chidi Mokeme delivers a terrific performance. His performance in the film is similar to his role in “Shanty Town.” However, even his superb performance cannot elevate a film that was never put into gear. And other performances are bogged down by a contrived and amateurish directing.
“Tokunbo” is a story of manhood and parenthood, a man’s love for his family, and his willingness to become an outlaw for his son. It’s also about economic troubles, which are said to have driven Tokunbo to become a vehicle smuggler in the first place.
The film also discusses the oppression of women in a patriarchal society, which undermines a woman’s authority merely because she is a woman, as well as how deeply corruption is established in every institution, making it difficult for fresh and progressive ideas to thrive. Folashade is the CBN Governor, and his progressive and compassionate initiatives to control cryptocurrency, thereby improving the naira, are opposed by men who benefit from the current state of affairs.
“Tokunbo” is a promising premise and narration with beautiful cinematography, but its pace and poor technical execution failed to impress. But ‘Ramsey Noah could look at the project as one in which he continues to horn his skills as a director for the future.
Rating: 4.5/10
