Anikulapo is one of those movies that will keep you glued to the end. And even though I'm not a fan of Nigerian movies, there are few that would always make time out to watch, especially because of their storyline and the individual who happens to be the producer and director. This movie is from Kunle Afolayan, one of the most respected filmmakers in Nigeria, and you can always trust him to deliver on any project he gets his hands on.
Anikulapo is a story of a man named Saro; he's a weaver, and on his journey to make a living for himself and have a better life, he traveled down to Oyo. Along the line, while still staying and doing his thing in Oyo, he got entangled with the king's young wife; one thing led to another, and they began to have something going on between them. Not long after, they were caught, and the king ordered that he should be beaten to death.
He was carried out of the village and beaten to death, but before he lost his life completely, a strange bird called Akala came to his rescue and brought him back to life. And that was around when he was given a magical gourd, one that can help resurrect the dead.
So, he left Oyo and went to another village to settle there. And because of the power that he now possesses, he became very well known. I might as well add that he didn't just go to Oyo alone; he went with Arolake, the lady he was caught with. She was even the one who helped him secure the gourd he's making use of to resurrect people. Now, after he's become popular and very well known, he has become proud and greedy, and he started doing anything he wished.
At the end of the day, he met his downfall after Arolake took away his power. He had actually pushed the lady to the wall with his actions, greediness, and infidelity. You know, I felt he should have been humble and, at the same time, adored the woman who helped him and loved him. You who barely got a second chance to live again are now trying to act all mighty.
I won't deny that I felt sorry for him at the beginning of the movie; like I said earlier, he was just trying to survive and find a better life for himself. And even though things got tough for him, things later became easier when he rose up from the dead and now possesses a kind of power that nobody has. His life changed for the better; he was living a good life, but then greed and pride set in, and he became something else.
And I honestly did not blame Arolake for the step she took either; Saro deserves it. Arolake is a woman he's supposed to remain grateful to all of his life. But when he became successful, he started maltreating her and treating her as if she were less important. I felt bad too.
Now talking about the cast, I love Bimbo Ademoye a lot; she acted as Arolake, and she delivered. When it comes to acting, Bimbo is very, very good. And talk of Remi too; he acted as Saro, and trust him to deliver too. They both acted so well that they gave the movie all that it needed to stand out. This is not to say that other actors in the movie didn't do well, but then they two happen to be the face of the movie.
I actually disliked Remi at a point, but then I had to just understand that it is just what he's told to act. Especially how he turned out to be arrogant and treated Arolake like a nobody.
I also loved how the movie was acted in a Yoruba way to the core. Yeah, they acted it the best way, making it very, very deeply rooted in the Yoruba culture. And even the mystical side of the movie made it more interesting. Talk of the customs too and the location in which the movie was acted; they nailed it. Overall, the movie is a very strong and solid 80+; yeah, I would rate it at that.
I love how it showed that we should always remember those who helped us when we had nothing, those who came through for us, and those who would do anything for us.
Anikulapo is a very beautiful story about love, ambition, greed, pride, and betrayal.
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Images are screenshots taken from the movie.
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Rating: 85/100
