By Mava John Joshua
The movie begins with a father at the pulpit, preaching, while his son who is supposed to pay attention more is distracted. He eventually walks out on his dad.
The father feels the son is not representing him or getting involved in church activities, hence he got the needed discipline. The child feels he is being maltreated and decides to run away, into the “world” where he can have absolute freedom to carry out his mundane inclinations unhindered
While on school campus, he lived the life he wishes unhindered, surrounded by his canal ambitions while doing badly academically.
The movie can’t be regarded as faith based because each line does not reflect any godly piety from the moment Joy who was supposedly a born again became engrossed with immoral activities with Samuel and getting intimate which one believes a God fearing person should not be engaged in; the height of jealousy exhibited by Teju, an assumed born again while Samuel was involved with Rekiya are all evidence that the claims of religious piety is not there
Directed and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, The Man of God chronicles Samuel Obalolu’s (Akah Nnani) journey from abandoning religion and finding his way back to it whilst dealing with childhood trauma inflicted by his overzealous pastor father (Jude Chukwuka). Samuel drifts in and out of acknowledging his faith and when he does, it is not for genuine reasons. He returns home sober just like the prodigal son
Heavens Allen has this to say about the movie: “I thought I was the only crazy one…glad to know I’m not. The movie was nice no doubt…but I didn’t get what viewers were meant to receive.”
And the part Allen missed, Okiki Adeduyite probably got. “Oh I like this part “interesting for many Nigerian viewers” then goes on to give it a Simply the best way to review Nollywood films these days. And thank you for talking about time period like what that heck was that? Ike BAP suddenly discovered a new genre where setting doesn’t matter. About Akah Nnani’s performance, I think he did all right. Not perfect but watching him react in a somewhat numb way when questioned by his wife about his plans to flee felt like his last ditch effort to save the crappy resolution and also felt a bit realistic.”
A movie buff who does not want his name in print was impressed with the production. “I had looked forward to another rehashed plot, but was utterly blown away, not only by the uniqueness of the story, but also by the dramatization itself. The characters are awesome; Rekiya is my fav. The story casts a balanced light on the struggles in the Christian faith – especially as a clergy and a child of a clergy. The character, Zach, reminds us that amidst these myriad false clergymen, there are still some men out there who truly want to stand for the truth, no matter the cost. Far as I can tell, this story should be a beautiful start to shedding further light on this general concern…”
