Colour Me True: Secrets, Scandals, and the Cost of Reinvention

First Features, Natives Filmworks, and Michelangelo Productions return with the tenth entry in the First Features project, Colour Me True, directed by Toluwani Obayan Osibe. Starring Shalewa Ashafa and Bucci Franklin, the film promises vibrancy and emotional richness, so let’s find out how much colour it truly brings to the screen.

A Journey Triggered by Exposure

The synopsis reveals a reality star whose life unravels after the truth about her identity comes to light. Known publicly as Sylvia Philips, Ivie retreats to the orphanage where she grew up and confronts the past she has kept buried. The narrative largely revolves around Ivie’s exposure, supported by secondary plot threads: her fractured relationship with Ruth, her breakup with Miles, Boma’s relationship with her mother, and a few romance-driven moments that orbit the main story.

Performances That Spark in Moments

Shalewa Ashafa (Ivie) and Eseosa Bernard (Ruth) share a believable chemistry that strengthens their scenes together, even when certain acting choices fall into uneven territory. Bucci Franklin’s performance as Adolphus echoes characters he has portrayed before, making it feel familiar rather than distinctive.
The young performers, Chimdiya Nwigwe and Alison Adeeyinwo as Boma and Giggles, bring a natural charm to their roles, though the writing occasionally pushes them into comedic territory that softens their emotional moments.
The film’s opening proposal-scene, where Miles abandons Ivie after she is exposed, suffers from awkward execution, and Nnamdi Agbo’s flat performance certainly doesn’t help. Thankfully, he delivers a much stronger showing in the final scene.

Vibrant Visuals With Technical Hiccups

Colour Me True embraces its title with bright, bold lighting choices and playful shot selections that keep the film visually engaging. However, the sound design struggles in moments where dialogue becomes difficult to hear, forcing the audience to work harder than they should to follow essential conversations. The colourful energy remains consistent, but the inconsistency in audio dulls some of its intended impact.

A Story That Means Well but Falters in Execution

The film’s emotional stakes often feel overstated. Ivie’s “big secret” doesn’t justify the magnitude of the backlash she receives, which weakens the urgency of the narrative.
The Aunty Mary character is a familiar Nollywood caricature that quickly becomes repetitive.
Boma’s meltdown after being caught with weed attempts to build toward an emotional breaking point, but the scene arrives abruptly and lacks the finesse needed to make it land convincingly.

Verdict

Colour Me True is warm, heartfelt, and visually delightful, celebrating themes of sisterhood and found family. Yet it inflates conflicts that don’t feel as high-stakes as the film insists, and emotional beats such as Adolphus’ betrayal never connect deeply enough to leave the intended mark.
Still, it is a beautiful watch with uplifting moments, ultimately earning a 3.25-star rating.

Rating: 3.25/5

About The Author

Uju Okosieme

See author's posts