Dolapo Douglas, launched in 2024, explores the crime drama genre set in Nigeria and highlights the aspects of identity, morality and actions having unanticipated consequences. The production is managed by Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji and Ibrahim Yekini (Itele) is the director who also has starred in the film alongside Lateef Adedimeji, Odunlade Adekola, and Bimpe Oyebade. While the movie has an ambitious concept, critics have been quite divided in their reviews regarding the production and execution of the narrative which caused the reviews to be mixed overall.
Synopsis
The movie revolves around Ademola Benson who is played by Lateef Adedimeji who is a devoted police officer tasked with selling his services in to a very notorious armed robbery group led by “Father” Odunlade Adekola and Jagua who plays his right hand role. In one of the missions, Ademola gets severely injured and suffers from amnesia. Completely unaware of who he once was, he is rescued by father who takes him in and gives him the name Dolapo Douglas (DD) and brings him into the crime group.
With the new name DD, he quickly adapts the life and becomes a well experienced criminal and starts robbing places. While in one of the villages with the group, he meets Dolapo who is played by Bimpe Oyebade and gets influenced by her mother to date rich men. Dolapo uses her charms to get the results she needs and gets DD alongside herself to become partners in crime and in a relationship at the same time.
The conflict in the story arises when, during an armed robbery, DD recognizes his previous family and subconsciously recalls memories of being Officer Ademola Benson. The realization brings anew to a new complexity that he has to face, the sense of where he stands or where he belongs. The intersection of both worlds coupled with all the decisions he has to make unfolds into a deep multilayered narrative which is fragmented, messy, and ultimately renders everyone in despair. What happens next impacts everyone’s life, the blood relatives and the ones on the other side of law.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Ibrahim Yekini (Itele)
- Producer: Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji
Main Cast:
- Lateef Adedimeji as Ademola Benson / Dolapo Douglas (DD)
- Bimpe Oyebade as Dolapo
- Odunlade Adekola as Father
- Muyiwa Ademola as Jagua
- Ibrahim Yekini (Itele) as Vaipa
- Jide Kosoko
- Aisha Lawal
- Dayo Amusa
- Akin Olaiya
- Eniola Ajao
Production and Cinematic Style
Most of the robbers are repeating DD’s story and being united with Money Heist suggests that it is beginning. There are attempts to incorporate some action and some drama into the Nollywood spine of the tale but it doesn’t quite work since it is not finished, as said above. It clonks out like these international heist films: there is even the normal parallel set of clothes and attire that make it seem like the character of this movie is ripping other pieces from their get up. Sadly though these stylistic decisions have been out of favored in the eyes of the critics.
There has always been debate concerning the camera work in a certain film and many critics compare that to the old era when the camera quality was undermined. The set design and the lighting were also called out for not being able to capture the required mood and tone of the story.
Thematic Elements and Dissection
Identity and Memory Loss: In this case of amnesia, we see how environment shifts the behavior of an individual as the main character goes from being a cop to a criminal.
Truth and Deceit: It is this movie’s portrayal of ethics that remains unchecked passage of time that enables DD to heal and own the crimes he did.
Parental Influence: In Dolapo’s circumstances, Manipulation and crime which have black holes at the end were her sought after goals which were encouraged to her by her mother.
Impact of Decisions: The decision of pursuing a small goal made by DD has far reaching consequences for him which the film beautifully portrays.
Critical Reception
Dolapo Douglas has garnered harsh criticism from critics and the audience alike. Even though it features a prominent ensemble of Nollywood actors, their efforts and performances take a back seat as the production quality and storytelling are the two major factors that undermine the film.
Contrary to the picture painted above, the review provided by Premium Times commends the lead actors for their performances however, it expresses displeasure on the ending leaving multiple unanswered questions for viewers.
PREMIUM TIMES
Kemi Filani News on the other end, seems to view Dolapo Douglas as a starting point for the hardships Nollywood will have to face. There are complaints regarding the production quality and if the film will even be fit enough for top-tier platforms for streaming.
Cultural Impact
There are many films or shows which evolve the conversation regarding an industry. Norwood has faced its fair share of criticism and praise for the way the cinema industry in Nigeria has evolved and Dolapo Douglas is one of the many films that is trying to sow new seeds, as it now is available to stream on Prime Video marking a new chapter of accessibility and reach for Nigerian cinema.
With the increasing number of actors getting involved in production, a film or a show is bound to showcase as a multi sanctuary for creative professionals, and a great example for this is Lateef Adedimeji and Bimpe Oyebade.
Conclusion
Dolapo Douglas has a bold story about crime, identity, and morality that is set within the Nollywood setting, but this is not its biggest strength as the film comes with an impressive cast as well, sadly, it suffers from the criticism of being unoriginal and poorly made.
Nigerian cinema enthusiasts and nonlinear believers would be interested in how Dolapo Douglas approaches the growth and hiccups of the industry, but the film lacks narrative cohesion and other technical elements that the audiences must keep in mind prior to watching.
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