#NollywoodReview #DontLook Now #EtimEffiong #NigerianCinema
Overall Rating: ................ (3.5/5 Stars)
The "Nanny-turned-lover" trope is as old as the hills in Nollywood. We’ve seen it a thousand times—from the wicked stepmother narratives of the 90s to the slapstick comedies of the early 2000s. However, every once in a while, a film comes along that takes a tired cliché and breathes fresh, contemporary air into it. Don’t Look Now, starring the ever-dashing Etim Effiong and the soulful Chinonso Arubayi, is that film. It’s a grounded, emotionally resonant look at modern fatherhood, the scars of divorce, and the quiet power of domestic healing.
The Hook: A Relatable Chaos
The film opens not with a grand spectacle, but with the frantic, messy reality of Alex (Etim Effiong), a high-flying professional drowning in the murky waters of single fatherhood. The opening hook is effective because it hits home for many Lagos professionals: the struggle to balance a demanding career with the emotional needs of a child.
When young Cece nearly burns the house down trying to cook for herself, the stakes are immediately established. This isn't just a romance; it’s a story about a man at his breaking point. The pacing in the first act is brisk, establishing Alex’s trauma—a bitter divorce from a drug-addicted ex-wife—without relying on heavy-handed exposition.
Cinematography: Intimacy Over Spectacle
In a world where many Nollywood "YouTube movies" suffer from flat lighting and static "TV-style" shots, Don’t Look Now makes a conscious effort to feel cinematic.
Shot Variety: The director uses tight close-ups during Alex’s moments of frustration, capturing the subtle micro-expressions Etim Effiong is known for.
Visual Mood: The lighting in Alex’s home shifts from cold, cluttered shadows at the start to a warmer, more "golden hour" glow once Sarah (Chinonso Arubayi) enters the picture. It’s a classic visual metaphor, but it’s executed with a level of consistency that suggests a DP (Director of Photography) who actually understood the emotional arc of the script.
The "Cinematic" vs. "TV" Divide: While the office scenes occasionally feel a bit sterile and "corporate video-esque," the domestic scenes feel lived-in and intimate.
Sound Design & The Power of Silence
Nollywood is notorious for "leaking" audio—background generators humming or birds chirping over dialogue. Thankfully, the sound mixing here is remarkably clean.
The score is used sparingly, which is a blessing. Instead of a loud, melodramatic synth-track telling us how to feel, the film allows silence to do the heavy lifting during Alex’s moments of reflection. When music is used, particularly during the late-night work session, it’s contemporary and atmospheric, enhancing the growing chemistry between the leads rather than distracting from it.
Performance Analysis: The Effiong-Arubayi Magic
Etim Effiong as Alex
Effiong is arguably one of Nollywood’s most reliable leading men. He plays Alex with a restrained vulnerability. He isn't just "angry man"; he is a man terrified of being hurt again. His transition from a cold, dismissive employer to a man realizing he’s found a partner is subtle and believable.
Chinonso Arubayi as Sarah
Sarah could have easily been a "Mary Poppins" caricature—perfect and boring. But Arubayi gives her a quiet strength. Her delivery is natural, avoiding the over-the-top theatricality that often plagues the "kind nanny" archetype. Her chemistry with the child actor playing Cece is the true heartbeat of the film.
The Supporting Cast
Desmond, Alex’s friend, serves as the classic "voice of reason" trope. While his character doesn't have much of an arc, he provides the necessary push to get the plot moving. The child actor playing Cece deserves a standing ovation; her comedic timing during the "locking them in the room" scene is gold.
Costume, Makeup & Production Design
The production design reflects the class dynamics perfectly. Alex’s house is upscale but lacks "soul" initially—it’s a house, not a home. Sarah’s wardrobe is modest but tasteful, reflecting her character’s grounded nature without making her look "poverty-stricken," a common mistake in older Nollywood films.
The makeup continuity is solid. When Alex looks tired, he actually looks tired—no perfectly coiffed hair and full face-beat after a night of stress. This commitment to realism helps ground the story in a way that feels authentic to the Nigerian middle class.
Plot Logic & Narrative Structure
The film follows a traditional three-act structure, but it’s the character motivations that keep it afloat.
The Conflict: Alex’s refusal to trust women is well-earned. We see the scars of his past, making his hesitation feel organic rather than a forced plot device to delay the romance.
The Climax: The third act introduces the ex-wife, Beatrice. While her reappearance feels slightly rushed, it serves as the ultimate test for Alex. It forces him to stop "not looking" at his problems and finally face them to protect his new family.
The Ending: The resolution is satisfying. It doesn’t just end with a kiss; it ends with a plan—a relocation and a commitment to a fresh start.
Thematic & Cultural Relevance
Don’t Look Now touches on several "hush-hush" themes in Nigerian society:
Drug Addiction: By making the ex-wife an addict, the film moves away from the "wicked woman" trope and looks at a real social issue affecting many families today.
Male Vulnerability: It challenges the "Alpha Male" Nigerian trope, showing a man who needs help and eventually learns that asking for it isn't a weakness.
Modern Parenting: It highlights the "Japa" syndrome indirectly—the idea that for many, a fresh start outside the country is the only way to escape the ghosts of the past.
The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Data?
Don’t Look Now isn't trying to be a high-octane thriller or a slapstick riot. It is a "slice-of-life" drama that succeeds because it respects its characters. It’s the kind of film you watch on a Sunday evening when you want something that feels like a warm hug, but with enough emotional depth to keep you thinking.
While it does lean on some predictable beats, the performances of Etim Effiong and Chinonso Arubayi elevate it far above the average "Nanny" story. It’s a testament to how far Nollywood has come in telling simple stories with high production value and emotional intelligence.
Who should watch this?
Fans of "Slow Burn" romances.
Single parents looking for a relatable story.
Anyone who believes in second chances.
Verdict: Watch it. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes the person who fixes your home is the one who ends up fixing your heart.
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#EtimEffiong
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