Platform: Amazon Prime

Runtime: 1 hour, 20 minutes 

The album was a masterpiece, and the soundtrack album was even better. Now that the movie is here, let’s see if the movie will live up to the standard of the associated creative assets. 

I was eager to see this movie and I’m sure other people were too, because it was Tiwa’s first movie as a lead actress and executive producer. 

Plot

According to the synopsis, the movie is supposed to tell the story of Aisha, an ambitious fashion designer. Now with a budding career in the U.S., she returns to her native home after ten years away. following a family bereavement. At home, things have changed. Violence has escalated and tensions have been high. As she reconnects with family, old friends, and her past love, she must learn to live with her scars and confront the guilt she left behind.

While watching the movie, I found myself wanting insight into the writers’ creative process, as the storyline seemed to elude me entirely. The first scene I saw on my screen was Aisha’s brother’s killer getting shot; it made me curious. I thought to myself, “Oh, we are getting a gangster movie with a sprinkle of romance,” because the synopsis did say there was going to be rekindling between her and her ex.

Fast forward to Aisha’s homecoming; there was no follow-up on her cousin’s death. If I’m not mistaken, she spoke about it just once, when she and her cousin were taking a stroll. The story about her cousin’s death vanished and it was supposed to be the main reason for her homecoming. Instead, the movie transitioned to her following her ex-boyfriend. 

At times, I found myself struggling to grasp the narrative. Was her return home motivated by unresolved feelings for her ex-boyfriend, or was it to mourn her beloved? These questions lingered without satisfactory answers, leaving me confused and disconnected from the narrative flow. Let’s then discuss the frequent flashbacks, which were almost confusing. I honestly believed Aisha’s brother was still alive during the scene that followed her run-in with the police.

Then, in an attempt to give the title “Water and Garri” a deeper meaning, they constructed hilarious flashbacks involving Aisha’s grandmother. Anyone would probably laugh if they heard their grandmother talk endlessly about Garri the way Aisha’s grandmother did.

Effective storytelling, in my view, hinges on the ability to captivate the audience and evoke anticipation for what lies ahead. Unfortunately, “Water and Garri” fell short in this regard, lacking the depth and coherence necessary to engage viewers on a meaningful level. In all, the flashbacks and the present stories didn’t ladder up to make a flow. 

Casting

In her first major movie role, Tiwa demonstrated promise and performed commendably. The supporting and lead actors also fulfilled their roles adequately. However, I struggled to fully grasp their characters due to the confusing storyline. For example, look at Jemima; she was Aisha’s cousin and was expected to be grieving but there was no information from her concerning her brother’s burial. Her cousin (Tiwa) came back; obviously, she was supposed to keep the viewers updated about that aspect, but nothing. Some roles were not really relevant because the writers didn’t have a development plan for their characters. 

Sometimes, exceptional acting can salvage a weak plot, or a captivating story can overshadow mediocre performances. Yet, in “Water and Garri,” it’s hard to judge the actors separately from the narrative. The characters felt somewhat shallow, making it difficult for the actors to fully embody their roles and engage the audience. Of all the performances, I’d say Tiwa playing Aisha and Andrew Bunting playing Kay were the standout performances, not because they killed it but because the entire movie was based on both of them. They were literally in our faces 90% of the time. 

Direction

On the visual front, “Water and Garri” excelled. The scenery was captivating, and the choice of locations was impeccable. Every aspect of the visuals, from the cinematography to the selection of outfits, was spot-on and added to the overall aesthetic appeal of the film. 

As I watched the movie, the first thing that caught my attention was the scenery in Aisha’s homecoming. The one where she was sitting at the back of the taxi, her costume, the car itself, and even the choice of location were good, and it made me expectant.

Then, upon entering her house, I had the impression that every photographer would love to capture images of their muses there because it was so tastefully decorated. The carefully considered locations gave the impression that the film was shot in the 1990s. I thought the clothes looked great in each setting. I’ve heard that Cape Coast, Ghana, where the film was filmed, is really lovely. 

However, while I appreciated the attention to visual detail, I couldn’t help but wish for more emphasis on the depth of the story. While striking visuals are undoubtedly important, a compelling narrative should take precedence. It’s a delicate balance, but if I had to prioritize, I would lean towards a strong storyline over stunning visuals. 

Soundtrack

Credit: BellaNaija

The original soundtrack is simply exceptional, showcasing pure talent throughout. It comes as no surprise, particularly with Tiwa at the helm. The music perfectly enhances the movie, adding depth and emotion to each scene. The soundtrack easily earns a solid 5-star rating. the “Water and Garri” album itself is a noteworthy piece of work, offering a collection of songs that complement the movie’s themes and atmosphere.  

Overall take

Overall, I believe that when a storyline falls short, filmmakers often compensate with various elements to make the movie consumable, such as a star-studded cast (cue EbonyLife Films). However, what they overlook is that viewers come with certain expectations, and if those expectations aren’t met, the film fails to deliver. Despite featuring the queen of Afrobeats, the movie “Water and Garri” proved underwhelming.  

The casting was passable, although some roles felt unnecessary and lacking in essence. On a positive note, the cinematography was commendable, and the soundtrack was undeniably flawless. These elements somewhat salvaged the movie, but a stronger storyline would have elevated it significantly.

Throughout the viewing experience, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of disappointment, repeatedly questioning the film’s direction and purpose. I lost count of how many times the question “Una dey whyne me?” popped up in my head. Nollywood has gone beyond having a movie without replay value.

Ultimately, I can only rate “Water and Garri” a modest 2 stars.