Story/screenplay by Yemi Akande, directed by Uduack Patrick, produced by Grace Onyia and Executively produced by Tomi Adeoye & Omoni Oboli, this film titled “SHORT & SWEET” with a runtime of 2hours 19minutes is currently available for streaming on the latter’s YouTube channel with same name.

SYNOPSIS: (MAY contain spoilers)
When a dispatch rider mixes up their orders, Ify (Sophia ‘Soso’ Chisom), a fashion designer and Kelvin (Michael Dappa), a photographer would eventually find love in each other’s arms. Their love would blossom till they soon realise that there’s more to dating than a mixed up plate of fried rice and two wraps of eba and a bowl of soup.

MY TAKE:
Casting/Performance:
The chemistry between the two leads is a naturally beautiful one. It was so good to see. Cynthia Clarke yet again shone brightly here as a seductress. Matter of factly, all the actors interpreted their roles well. That first kiss in the car between Soso & Dappa…my my my! Steaming hot!

The story isn’t new but the incorporation of social media posts & banters in the plot is refreshing. The lines are relatable too. The story centres on Ify, an ambitious young lady who is sceptical about finding love via social media having been heartbroken severally.

It also highlights the challenges and temptation faced by male photographers who are often sėxualised by their female clients and the pressure towards satisfying their selfish desires, whims and caprices.

Direction/Execution:
The movie started quite strongly with catchy scenes and captivating sequencing. But these gradually melted into a bore in the second act as dialogues became repetitive and unexciting.

Unpredictable what to expect with more watch time ahead, viewers may decide to stick around to see what comes out of it. Then the third act with a different turn of event, intriguingly leaves us with an unusual ending; one that gives an indication for a possible sequel due to a cliffhanger.

Crew:
The background sound in most of the scenes especially at the start sets the ambience for a feel good romcom. However, intermittently, this equally gets in the way of the audio so much so one struggles to hear the actors in those scenes. Loved Soso’s outfit throughout. It tallied with her passion for African fashion/styling in the story. Makeup and hair was good too.

Lesson:
If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Ify (Fifi, as Kelvin calls her) knew what she wanted and was willing to walk away from a potential heartbreak that may arise from a long distance relationship.

OBSERVATION/QUESTION:
1. The title is intriguing and clever as it sums up the relationship between the two leads which though was SHORT lived was nonetheless SWEET while it lasted.

2. The story for how it made me smile in parts is SWEET arising from the body language and facial expressions of the main characters Dappa and Soso. But the duration of the movie was by no means SHORT. It took too long, unnecessarily so.

3. The way Nollywood be calling millions in movies! Who pays 10million naira for a photoshoot? Well, Madam Rita (Cynthia Clarke) was insanely wealthy as a widow though.

4. I feel like Ify’s reaction the first time when Kelvin appeared to have offended her was an overkill; the second time too.

5. Second time seeing Dappa as a photographer in a movie. The first time is in Uche Jombo’s “Nora’s Lover” with him starring alongside Bolaji Ogunmola & Bobby Ekpe. Could this be another passion of the actor’s? 

6. Who goes for private photoshoot sessions alone when you know that your client has ulterior motives?

7. Ify’s phobia for dating apart from the first scene at the restaurant wasn’t quite established. That part of the story needed more depth.

8. As mentioned earlier, the cliffhanger in the end appears to be an indication for a potential sequel. Well, I’m here for it!

CONCLUSION:
The movie is an enjoyable one but could have been way better in more ways than one starting from the duration and pacing. It dragged on for too long.

First act was sharp & captivating but second act was kinda boring with the unexciting dialogues. Third act was somewhat good but didn’t have as much life to it either.

The end however made me smile like a secondary school girl in love! The choice of actors and their impeccable role interpretation saved the movie.

VERDICT: 5/10

Have you seen this? What did you think?