I Am Nazzy, produced by Chinonso Arubayi and directed by Kayode Peters, tells the story of how a rising music star (Chinonso Arubayi) switches places with her lookalike for a day, to take a break from the pressures of her glamorous life. Her seemingly fool-proof plan goes awry and she is left to figure out a life vastly different from the one she is used to.
The movie is enjoyable. It tries to find a new way to tell the over-done genre of romcom. Whether or not it is successful at this is another question. I am Nazzy is visually appealing. The scenes are vibrant and eye-catching.
The acting itself leaves a lot to be desired. I’m not sure if it’s a problem with the way the script was written or if it was all in the delivery. The chemistry of the characters often fell flat in some scenes. This means it might not be as gripping a watch as it is intended to be. The story often falls into the painful cliches it is trying to avoid.
A fan of Nollywood films would enjoy this movie but if you’re after something incredible, this movie would miss the mark somewhat. Even in scenes where it is supposed to shine, it somehow fails to deliver. The end is exactly what you would expect from the storyline’s trajectory.
It’s not all bad. For what it is, it is an enjoyable movie that actually tries to touch on some sensitive issues like mental health and how important it is in the average Nigerian’s life. It never loses sight of the underlying message of the movie, which is all that glitters is not gold.
Ultimately, it is enjoyable if a bit bland watch. If you’re a fan of Nollywood movies in general you should check this out in the cinemas.
Didi Dan-Asisah is an art enthusiast and critic. She lives in Lagos.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
