Lionheart: Lessons for an Impressed Fan

Genevieve Nnaji and Nkem Owoh

(By Nkechi Bianze) - I watched #LionHeart on Netflix yesterday.

The movie is a breath of fresh air. Away from the usual stale boring storyline.

1. The uncle came to actually contribute his bit to saving the company. He didn't come to kill the brother and take over the company and money.

2. Pete Edochie didn't die suddenly by a heart attack or something. He fell ill and got back on his feet.

3. Pete Edochie and his wife recognized the strengths of their children. The son wasn't victimized for choosing not to manage the family business. He was allowed to follow his own dream of a music career. He wasn't taunted like a lost soul or prodigal son as a result of his choice.
Genevieve, even as a woman was given the freedom to manage the family business and source of wealth. There was no sexism in this case like most other Nollywood movies would have shoved down our throats.

4. There was no family feud. Sister inlaw and brother inlaw weren't fighting their brother's wife. Son wasn't trying to claim he is the man and in charge of the family wealth, either by crook or real.

5. The storyline is simple yet engaging. It was all about saving a drowning family business. The struggles were realistic, and the journey to finally being able to save Lionheart was quite realistic too.
A Billion Naira didn't suddenly appear from nowhere for them to clear their debt. They fought, tried and tried, and they triumphed.

6. I love the way the movie showed off the Igbo culture without trying to "adulterate" it unnecessarily. I love that they spoke Igbo alot in the movie.

7. I love the cast, and the fact that the actors retained their "sources" while executing their character roles in the movie. And by that I mean that the reputational and real-life characteristics and demeanors of the actors were blended into the movie.
-Pete Edochie still had the Pete Edochie spice.
-Nkem Owoh was still his comical self.
-Genevieve was still the classy young woman.
-Onyeka Onwenu was still this elegant mama.
-Phyno was still the highlife Igbo ogene type of musician.
-Ngozi Ezeonu was still her beautiful self.
-Kanayo O Kanayo was still this business mogul who loved to make money, compete and defeat his business opponents. Only that this time, no juju, no hired killers. It was a battle of wits and perseverance, and the best man won.
-Peter Okoye was still the singing fine boy.

Nkem Owoh was my best actor in this movie.

This is not a story of a rich prince falling in love and getting married to a poor village girl.
This is not the story of a rich girl falling in love with a poor local hunter.
There were no juju-triggered deaths.
The first son wasn't necessarily the heir to the family business.

I love the subtle feminist narrative of the movie.

Lionheart is for me indeed a breath of fresh air. Different!

My rating of the movie: 4.5 out of 5
My critique: A typical successful rich Igbo man seldom has two children. They should have been 4 or 5.
The storyline although unique, it was a little too basic in delivery. There were no magical moments that blew my mind.... and I waited for it. Maybe because I adore Genevieve and expected a little too much, considering her wealth and years of experience in the industry, and the fact that she's proven to be unique.

The movie Lionheart is a must watch.
It wasn't perfect, but was excellent, and by far one of my top 5 Nollywood movies of all times.