We watched Biodun Stephen’s ‘Small Talk’ so you don’t have to. Read on to find out what we think about the film.

Plot

‘Small Talk,’ directed by Biodun Stephen, dives into the lives of Baba Dee, his boss, and his boss’s wife following a robbery that sets off a series of comedic yet convoluted events. The film endeavours to weave humour into its storyline, steering clear of the darker themes typical of mysteries. With a cast predominantly of Nigerian skit-makers, it attempts to draw laughs while unfolding its plot, albeit with mixed results.

Acting

The casting predominantly features Nigerian skit-makers, which sets a distinct tone for the film. Unfortunately, Lasisi Elenu’s portrayal of Officer Okoh Emma misses the mark, lacking the subtlety needed for the role. Mr. Macaroni’s interpretation of Baba Dee delivers surprisingly well, considering the exaggerated nature of his character. Moet Abebe’s performance as Eneh, paired with Taye Arimoro’s Seyi, needs more chemistry to make their interactions believable and engaging.

A notable issue is the actors’ adoption of accents not native to them, intended to add a layer of humour; however, this attempt falls flat, coming across as more irksome than amusing.

Story

The narrative holds promise, weaving an interesting story that could have benefited from stronger performances. This is another Biodun Stephen attempt at marrying comedy with mystery. While it’s not a murder mystery like Hotel Labamba, the combination still struggles to find its footing, with the comedic elements often undermining the suspense integral to a mystery narrative.

Final Thoughts

‘Small Talk’ attempts a challenging fusion of comedy and mystery with a cast known more for their skit-making than cinematic roles. The outcome is a film that feels basic and underwhelming, marred by performances that don’t quite hit the mark and comedic attempts that detract from the plot’s intrigue.

Verdict

Despite its shortcomings, Small Talk does convey a meaningful message, hinting at the potential that could have been realized with a more cohesive blend of story and performance. We’re giving it a 1.5 out of 5. This is Biodun Stephen’s poorest movie. You can stream the movie on Prime Video.

Rating: 1.5/5