Minee (Laws of the Street), the latest street sensation, brings to life a narrative of resilience, survival, and redemption. Directed by Richards Omos-Iboyi and written by Igho Erhieyovwe for Elektra Media Ltd, this cinematic piece hit the theaters on November 3rd.
The movie boasts an ensemble cast including Confidence Akpede as Minee, Priscilla Okpara as Minee’s mom, and an array of talented actors, including Godwin Ogaga, Ayo Adesanya Hassan, Norbert Asikhia, Anthony Monjaro, Ebere Bayray McNwizu, Daniel Etim Effiong, Ireti Doyle, Monica Friday, Kevin Ikeduba, and Segun Arinze, among others.
Set against the contrasting backdrops of Delta and Lagos State, “Minee” weaves a compelling tale around its titular character, whose family is embroiled in turmoil due to her father’s shadowy dealings. A tragic loss forces her and her sister onto divergent paths, one spiraling into the world of drug addiction and prostitution, while the other assumes the role of a bus conductor, determined to carve a better life. As her father emerges as the kingpin of organ harvesting, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown. Who will emerge victorious in this gripping tale? A visit to the cinema will reveal the answer.
The cast’s impeccable use of the Warri Pidgin English lends authenticity to the film, immersing viewers in the gritty ghetto world they inhabit. The characters, whether portraying thugs, police officers, or the main protagonists, execute their roles with conviction. Costume design effectively captures the essence of the story, from the attire of prostitutes and thugs to the outfits of Minee and Mudia.
The film boasts a compelling storyline with intriguing twists, though some disjointed scenes and pacing issues was be distracting. We see where one moment we are watching a scene, and the next moment it takes us to another scene that is totally unrelated for example one minute we see a scene from Bashir’s club the next second we see an organ harvesting scene and then the next we see a garage scene, totally unrelated. Editing inconsistencies are apparent in the movie, and there’s a lack of chemistry between the main characters, Minee, and her love interest Maleek making their romantic connection less convincing. They seemed more like very good friends than lovers.
A climactic shootout scene between the police and street gangs, while engaging, falls short of being entirely convincing due to sound effects and visual rendering. The shoot-out scene between the police and the street gang at the end of the movie was not so believable as the gun sound felt off and the gunshot effect looked funny.
The ending appears too facile, The battle and the finish were almost all too easy for someone whom they’d been trying to catch for ten years who also calls himself Shadow, even though his guard was down because of his daughter, considering the elaborate setup, or maybe it was his arrogance and confidence in thinking he has all of the police force in his pocket that led to his easy demise.
Yet, “Minee” delivers a potent message: the police force, despite its flaws and corruption, strives to protect the public and combat criminal activities even though it might take time sometimes to get justice as stressed by Minee’s boyfriend Maleek and as also seen in the movie.
The cinematography captures the gritty essence of the environment, immersing audiences in the characters’ world. While there is room for improvement in the editing and visual effects, and the characters as great as they are should pay attention to all areas of their acting so lovers will not look like just friends but then the storyline, the cast, and the theme of the movie can compensate for these aspects.
In conclusion, Minee (Laws of the Street) delves into critical issues in society like human trafficking, child trafficking, drug abuse, and prostitution, creating awareness and urging authorities to address these concerns, thereby depicting significant societal impact.
From us at Kemi Filani, it’s 7/10 for Minee (Laws of the Street).
