THE TRADE MOVIE REVIEW : CillaCritic

CREDIT

Release date: January 13, 2023 (Nigeria)

Country of origin: Nigeria

Languages: English, Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba

Filming locations: Lagos, Nigeria

Production Company: Foresight Global Films

Director: Jadesola Osiberu

Writer: Jadesola Osiberu

It is a story based on true events about a kidnapper kingpin in Nigeria that targets only high-profile victims. This movie shed light on his modus operandi, family, greed, and connections among others. It’s full of action and suspense.

HITS

The choice of songs is so cool. It syncs with every part of the story/scene. For example, the original song of the movie represents the East when Eric went to the village. Whoever sang the theme/original song of the movie did a good job, though I don’t understand a thing in the song since I’m a Yoruba boy I can feel it.

A phone rang and it was obvious even though it was in the pocket of the IRT Director while he was praying in the Mosque. This shouldn’t be a big deal actually but this is Nollywood, In most movies, the phones don’t ring before they pick them, if you understand what I mean.

The casting is top-notch! The best of the best! I was wondering who did such a fantastic job and had to wait for the credits, only to see that it’s Deyemi Okanlawon, they got an A-List Actor to cast a film he will not feature.

John Demps may eventually become what TG Omori is to music videos in Nigeria at the moment. John Demps did a good job, I will pay attention to more of his works in the future. The cinematography is top-notch.

The story is based on true events, and the implementation was rightly done.

FLOP

When the kidnappers untied the hands of Eric, he requested his phone immediately and called his lawyer (Lawrence) to go pick up his car, how did he know that his car was already at the police station? It is very disjointed and a big flop.

PERSONAL OPINION

I would have preferred the movie ends where Eric begged the air hostess not to open the door of the place. At that point, the camera zoomed into his face! It will generate a lot of conversations.

This will eventually be one of my top 10 movies of 2023. The Trade will be nominated in at least 2 categories in the next AMVCA. One of them will be the best lead role male category.

The movie made me ask myself, who is Jadesola Osiberu? The movie is a great work of art. Apparently, she’s a big fish in Nollywood but I’ve not been paying attention to her, this movie made me do enough research about her and I’m adding her to the list of my favorites in Nollywood. Maximum respect for her.