Champagne
Seeing this a decade after its release, there's just so much that is wrong technically. These issues might not have been as noticeable upon its initial release, but given the higher standards of quality today, they are quite jarring.
Champagne tells the story of a married couple that resorts to extramarital affairs to support their family financially. Initially, we see the husband engaging in this act before his wife forces him to stop. However, faced with financial strain and mounting bills, the wife reluctantly engages in an extramarital affair when a wealthy man takes interest in her.
For its time, I'd acknowledge that the open-marriage theme, albeit driven by financial motives in this instance, was relatively groundbreaking for Nigerian cinema. However, the film ultimately adopts a sexist perspective, portraying the husband as emotionally detached during his affairs while his wife develops feelings. While this serves the narrative, it lacks the nuance necessary for a more insightful portrayal. Additionally, the subplot involving the side man's relationship with his girlfriend in the US, though intended to add suspicion to his character, feels largely unnecessary.
From a technical standpoint, the film suffers from odd camera angles, abrupt transitions, audio-video mismatches, and an overall sense of poor direction.
Most of the performances here aren't special, they're just enough to keep the plot going. But Majid Michael delivers a solid performance, infusing his character with effortless sweetness and a little dose of suspicion which ultimately blossoms at the end.
Champagne reflects the era in which it was made and coupled with it being a directorial debut, there's undeniable room for improvement in its execution.
2.5-3/10.
