I've never before seen a Nollywood film, so I was intrigued as to what director Biyi Bandele's 'Fifty' would be like. As it turns out, it was pretty much an African version of 'Dynasty'!
The film is about four affluent Lagos women who are 'of a certain age'. There's Elizabeth, a celebrity obstetrician whose taste in young men has led her daughter to disown her; Kate, a party planner becoming increasingly influenced by religion; Maria, a high-flying construction executive who discovers she is pregnant; and Tola, a reality television star with a dark family secret. Their story lines join, separate and join again before resolving themselves in best TV movie fashion.
It's not challenging at all, but certainly diverting and entertaining. Although all four lead actresses get their turns to emote, only Nse Ikpe-Etim, as Kate, has a consistently challenging role as the reason for her character's turn to religion is revealed. Bandele makes full use of Lagos' skyline with sweeping establishing shots over the city, although by the end of the film you may feel you've seen quite enough of the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, as attractive a piece of engineering as it is.
