Franklyn Jituboh’s Dinner leaves audience satisfied

Franklyn Jituboh’s delivery of Dinner is really commendable. Using primarily close up shots of his subjects, the cast had no choice but to deliver on the big screen. The movie was written, directed and produced by multitalented Franklyn who is also recognized for directing the short film “Once”, selected at the 2015 Durban International Film Festival.

Starring Kehinde Bankole, Enyinna Nwigwe, Keira Hewatch, Deyemi Okanlawon, Okey Uzoeshi, award winning Richard Mofe-Damijo, Iretiola Doyle and more, Dinner engages the audience. Franklyn takes cues from the master himself, Hitchcock by skillfully applying the right dose of suspense.

The movie premiered on the 11th of November at the FilmOne IMAX Cinema in Lekki and sequel to the release has enjoyed good reviews.

Honestly, I had no expectations from the movie, as I never got the chance to see the trailer. It was the energy from the crowd that got me on arrival at the venue and obviously the bevy of familiar faces or better yet friends. Ozy Agu, Bez, Maka, Lolo and the list goes on.

As we settled-in to the feature presentation, I couldn’t help but appreciate the attention to detail and genius brand placement executed. I hope you get to read this Frank, those telcos need to give you a pat on the back.

If you are really into film and understand the process from script to screen, then you couldn’t have missed out on the amount that went into production value. I’m talking crisp aerial shots, luxury vehicles and the serene Amen Estate in Eleko.

Now for some deconstruction of the plot without turning this pseudo-review to a spoiler. The movie grows on you as it reveals the intricate web that exists between a group of friends over dinner. Considering it centered around relationships which we would all agree is a big matter in Nigeria, the contention between the sexes in the theatre was apparent.

I would say this though, it is very easy to misconstrue the depiction of women in the film as gullible and second to men. I know a chauvinistic film when I see one and Dinner does not fall in that category. Instead, the movie essentially, place a big issue on the big screen, one which usually finds its place under the rug. I’m talking about communication.

Taking communication for granted in every aspect of life could land you in situations you least expect or perhaps result in ugly secrets from the past running your life. Kendrick Lamar summed up in Poetic Justice when he said, “ they say communication saves relations, I can tell. “

On to scoring, the movie sported interested genres by home grown artists. Crooner, Bez added the right emotional slant to the movie. He did this off the screen as well as every chance to get my picture taken with my buddy was interrupted by a screaming fan.

The audience came for Dinner and they got just that as the chef didn’t hold back on a good serving of the good old boy-fight over a girl. When the curtains dropped, it was clear who the people’s choice for favorite character was, bad-boy Richard, played by Adeyemi Okanalwaon.

Despite not being a blockbuster, I was impressed by the production value along with the good use of suspense. It makes me keen to see the figures of its earnings at the box office. As for those of you in doubt on seeing the movie, take a cue from the current Google ads and patronize the search engine.
MOHAMMED JOSE