Screenplay: James Abinibi
Director: James Abinibi
Producer: James Abinibi
Cast: Kunle Idowu, Toyin Aimakhu Abraham, Soma Ayanma, Comedian Senator, Abayomi Alvin, Eric Didier, Chris Okagbue, Rotimi Salami, Sukanmi Omobolanle, Jude Chukwuka Adekunle Gold, Woli Arole
Year: 2017
“Mentally” was not on the list of films I planned to see at the cinema but there was a tasty discount that came with seeing it. The discount provided that, I could see select movies for as cheap as N300 and “Mentally” fell in the list.
“Mentally” is not a new film and this review is coming thanks to an extremely slashed price that allowed me watch the film.
Mentally is the second film featuring Frank Donga moving to a new town or city in search of greener pastures. The first film was “Hakkunde” by Asurf Oluseyi. While the heart and flesh of “Hakkunde” is laced with inspiration for the job seeking youth, “Mentally” is more of a humorous drama taking inspiration from social ills. The story line rings in similarity to old Nollywood tales of comedic actors moving to the city to create chaos.
When Akin decides to move to Lagos from his hometown, his mother rings a few words to his ears. She insists that her son remembers where he is from and never lose hold of his training and the essence of his background. Her naïve son, Akin (Kunle Idowu) ends up in Lagos with the hope that he would stay with his former school friend Emeka. On his journey to Lagos, we meet the hilarious driver played by Yaw and an introduction of Adekunle Gold in a cameo role as a conductor. From where we meet Akin and his mother, to the people he meets through his journey to Lagos, the film sets its tone as a comedy. It is when Akin arrives Lagos that we understand the purpose of “Mentally”.
In Lagos, Emeka welcomes Akin, takes him for lunch, and they meet with Emeka’s hyped friends. These friends are high on weed and will not let naïve Akin escape inhaling weed. Pressure mounts and Akin gives in. There is chaos for a first time weed smoker. Many scenarios, and what Akin does, and does not do after this, leads to “Mentally” being an interesting offering to the pile of comedies in Nigeria.
A film does not have to educate; it just has to make its audience feel good. The crowd I watched with appreciated the purpose of “Mentally.” There was eagerness that demanded the next line of action, not because scenes bored the audience, but because the transition always sent a message of, “expect more laughter.”
Despite its humor and the line-up of stars, “Mentally” is the type of film that could have skipped the cinema format of release but it is watchable and could solve your humor problems.
“Mentally” earns a 5/10!
