#AfterTheRainMovie #NollywoodReview #FaithAndHealing
Rating: .................. 3.5 / 5 Stars
The Storm Before the Calm: An Introduction
Nollywood has long had a love affair with the "Grief-to-Grace" arc, but few modern films attempt to tackle the intellectual and spiritual wrestling match of a man who has completely turned his back on the Almighty. After the Rain, featuring the versatile Uzee Usman and the evergreen Ebube Nwagbo, is not just another tear-jerker; it is a grounded, sometimes painful exploration of how loss can strip a man of his dignity, his career, and his faith.
In a cinematic landscape often dominated by "Glamour Nollywood"—filled with Lagos mansions and unrealistic wealth—After the Rain takes us into the gritty, dusty reality of a man falling through the cracks of the Nigerian middle class. It asks a terrifying question: What happens when the God you served fails to save the person you love most?
Cinematography: Capturing the Desolation of Abuja
Technically, the film moves between the polished look of modern Nigerian drama and the more claustrophobic, "TV-style" framing common in faith-based productions.
Visual Mood: The lighting in Abel’s home is intentionally dim, reflecting his internal state. There is a heavy use of close-ups during his outbursts, which Uzee Usman handles with a raw, vein-popping intensity.
Framing the Fall: One of the most striking visual contrasts is the transition from Abel’s clean-shaven, suit-wearing corporate days to his disheveled appearance as a cleaner. The camera doesn't shy away from the grime of his new reality, using wide shots to show how small and isolated he looks in large, empty corporate spaces where he used to be the boss.
The Cinematic vs. The Functional: While the outdoor scenes are crisp, some interior dialogue scenes suffer from "flat" lighting, a common Nollywood trope where every corner of the room is equally bright, losing the depth that shadows could provide.
Sound Design and the Symphony of Silence
In Nollywood, sound is often the "Achilles' heel." However, After the Rain manages a decent balance.
Dialogue Clarity: The audio is remarkably clean. Even in scenes where Abel is shouting in a fit of rage, the levels don’t peak into distortion.
The Score: The music is predictably emotive—heavy on the piano and strings during the "sober" moments. However, the film’s best use of sound is actually its silence. When Abel sits alone, staring at the space his wife should occupy, the lack of background music emphasizes his loneliness far better than a somber violin ever could.
Cultural Cues: The use of subtle Nigerian gospel undertones in the background of Bisa’s life contrasts sharply with the silence or chaotic noise in Abel’s life, effectively using sound to define the spiritual "zones" of the characters.
A Masterclass in Performance: Uzee Usman and Ebube Nwagbo
The soul of this movie lies in its casting.
Uzee Usman as Abel
Uzee Usman delivers a performance that should be studied by aspiring actors. He avoids the "over-acting" trap often seen in Nollywood's depictions of madness or grief. Instead, he portrays Abel with a simmering, quiet bitterness. His code-switching between formal English and a more jagged, tired tone when speaking to his daughter shows a man who is literally losing his grip on his identity.
Ebube Nwagbo as Bisa
Ebube Nwagbo provides the perfect foil. Her character, Bisa, could have easily been a "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" who exists only to save the man. Instead, Nwagbo gives her a backbone of shared trauma. When she reveals her own losses, there is a "soft power" in her delivery that anchors the second half of the film.
Narrative Structure: Pacing and the 'Slow Burn'
The film’s structure follows a traditional three-act play, but with a uniquely Nigerian pace.
The Hook: The opening doesn't start with the death, but with the consequence. We see a man who hates the sound of a hymn and the sight of a Bible. This immediate conflict draws the audience in.
The Middle Muddle: Like many Nollywood films, the middle section drags slightly with repetitive scenes of Abel being "difficult." We get the point early on, and some of the back-and-forth could have been tightened to keep the momentum.
The Climax: The resolution isn't a "magic miracle" where he suddenly gets millions of Naira. It’s a job offer and a prayer. This grounded approach is refreshing.
Plot Logic and Cultural Realism
One of the strongest points of After the Rain is its refusal to use the "Juju" or "Village People" trope. Abel’s problems are structural and psychological:
Job Loss: His dismissal from the insurance firm because he had to prioritize his daughter is a very real Nigerian struggle. There is no social safety net, and the film captures the "shame" of the downwardly mobile middle class perfectly.
The Religious Conflict: In a country as religious as Nigeria, Abel’s atheistic/anti-theistic stance is a bold narrative choice. The way neighbors and friends react to him—with a mix of pity and fear—is peak "Nigerian Society."
The Plot Holes: While the story is solid, the "coincidence" of Bisa having a flat tire exactly where Abel could help her is a bit of a convenient writing shortcut. Additionally, the transition from him being a cleaner back to an insurance executive happens a bit too smoothly, ignoring the typical "HR hurdles" one would face after a long hiatus and a mental breakdown.
Costume and Production Design: The Wardrobe of Grief
The production design team deserves praise for the "de-glamorization" of the leads.
Abel’s Attire: His clothes become progressively tighter, older, and less pressed. It’s a visual shorthand for his lack of "self-care."
Bisa’s Wardrobe: She is dressed in modest but elegant African prints and corporate wear, signaling her status as a woman of substance who hasn't lost her "grace" despite her pain.
The Home: Abel’s house looks lived-in. It isn't a showroom; it’s messy, reflecting the lack of a maternal figure and the father’s depression.
Thematic Depth: Beyond the Surface
At its core, After the Rain is a social commentary on:
Mental Health in Men: It highlights how Nigerian men often mask depression as anger. Abel isn't "bad"; he is broken.
The 'Prosperity Gospel' Critique: Implicitly, the film critiques the idea that being "good" guarantees a life without pain. Abel’s anger stems from a feeling of a "broken contract" with God.
Fatherhood: The relationship between Abel and Osas is the emotional heartbeat. It shows the sacrifices Nigerian fathers make, often in silence.
The Verdict
After the Rain is a poignant, well-acted drama that stands out because of its emotional honesty. While it suffers from some typical Nollywood pacing issues and a slightly predictable "happy ending," the journey there is paved with genuine gold-standard performances.
It is a film that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever asked "Why me?" in the face of tragedy. It doesn't offer easy answers, but it offers hope—and in today's world, that's a valuable commodity.
Who Should Watch This?
Fans of "serious" Nollywood dramas (think God Calling or The Wait).
Anyone struggling with the balance of faith and personal tragedy.
Viewers who appreciate character-driven stories over high-octane action.
If you’re looking for a movie that will make you think, cry, and ultimately smile, After the Rain is a must-watch. It’s a reminder that even after the heaviest downpour, the sun eventually finds a way through the clouds.
Watch it now on Uchenna Mbunabo TV and let us know: Do you think Abel was justified in his anger towards God? Drop your comments below!
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