Ayinla Omowura: An Adaptation from Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (A Review)

Ayinla Omowura is a fact-based Nollywood movie released in 2021 and it tells the tale of superstar Apala musician, Ayinla Omowura Anigilaje Egunmogaji, who died in his prime. It is believed in some quarters this movie has some likeness with American movie, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”- a true life story-inspired movie which tells the story of the life and times of American music star, Elvis Presley who also died in his prime.

An Ayinla Omowura review is therefore necessary to ascertain whether it actually performs as much as the said American movie.

Producer: Tunde Kelani

Directors: Tunde Kelani; Kunle Afolayan

Main Cast:

Lateef Adedimeji

Adebowale Adedayo

Kunle Afolayan

Bimbo Manuel

Ade Laoye

Jumoke Odetola

Bimbo Ademoye

Omowunmi Dada

For Ayinla Omowura review, I will use three performance criteria: production; directing; casting and performance.

Production:

Ayinla Omowura is produced by veteran Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani. He is a multiple award-winner and brain behind many successful Nollywood movie classics as “Saworoide”, “Koseegbe”, “Thunderbolt” (Magun) and “Oleku”.

Directing:

This movie was directed by Tunde Kelani and co-directed by top Nigerian cinematographer, Kunle Afolayan. When you have these two amazing directors on set, you don’t expect less.

Casting and Performance:

The choice of the cast of this movie is genius. Adedimeji Lateef played the main character of the movie, “Ayinla Omowura”. The Egba dialect, dress sense, attitude, sarcasm and sense of humour assumed by this great performer paints the perfect picture of an illiterate, comical, arrogant but kind and generous musician. Adebowale Adedayo popularly known as Mr Marcaroni played the musician’s manager, “Bayowa” and it is obvious his delivery is excellent. Kunle Afolayan played the role of Ayinla’s music promoter, “Ajala”. His dress sense, style and well-spokenness depicts that of someone who is well-educated and well-travelled. He carried himself with so much elegance and class to depict the socialite the Ajala Promotions boss was. Jumoke Odetola played “Kemi”, the owner of Kemi Spot which happens to be Ayinla’s favourite bar. She did greatly at bar waiting. Omowunmi Dada played “Deborah”. She purposely seduced Ayinla for fame and personal material benefits. The manner she displayed her desperation and fakeness towards the end of the movie is also commendable. Ade Laoye played “Jaiye”- an intern at a newspaper company, Iwe Iroyin. She parades herself as a frustrated intern who persevered under the iron fist of his boss. She did it so well you could feel that frustration and would feel pity for her. Legendary actor, Bob Manuel played the newspaper company’s head, “Uncle Sam”. No one could have done it better. Bimbo Ademoye acted “Fali”, another bar owner. You and I know what this talented thespian is capable of doing with such role.

To me, every member of the entire cast of Ayinla Omowura did exceptionally well.

Though Ayinla Omowura has some resemblance with Why Do Fools Fall in Love in terms of picture quality, it is not an adaptation from the latter but rather, an original, stand-alone Nollywood classic.

Rating: 4.5/5

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