This movie is about the struggles of a man who drives a mini-van for an informal Lagos public transportation system. First thing to say in the defense of this work is that it was viewed online in a cobbled together version with a less than ideal picture and almost unbearably bad sound. It should also be mentioned that it is shot on videotape and while this puts the viewer closer to the action, it also adds to the low-budget quality of the film. It is well-acted by the principals and genuinely entertaining in parts, but surprisingly for a low-budget film, needlessly long. The best thing about Bus Driver is that it sugar-coats very little and in many instances provides believable glimpses into day-to day Lagos life.
If you are unfamiliar with the dialect/accents then you may find the story's intricacies a little hard to follow. One imagines locals/expats willget many more inside jokes and remarks than a newbie to Nigerian speech. Nonetheless, the story is straightforward and the lead actor a very compelling flawed and occasionally straight out corrupt everyman. With a little patience this extremely frayed offering will provide a colorful diversion from the usual more polished but less engaging fare. As my first Nollywood movie I have to imagine that there are more accessible ones than this, but I did like this one for its unflinching yet never graphic story-telling.
