“Family Gbese” – A Tale of Loyalty, Sacrifice, and Moral Dilemmas

There’s a saying that “The worst thing about family problems is that they don’t stay at home; they follow you everywhere.” Yet, society also teaches us that “Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten”—even when the family itself is the source of the problem.

In “Family Gbese”, Film One Entertainment and Inkblot Production’s latest family drama, the protagonist’s life embodies both of these proverbs. For Nnamdi (Uzor Arukwe), family is both a source of support and a looming threat. A young man building a promising career at Meristem, an investment firm, Nnamdi, also known as Mazi to some, finds himself trapped in the chaos caused by his elder brother Gozie (Mike Ezuruonye). Gozie’s crippling gambling addiction has left him with mountains of debt to dangerous street gangs, pulling Nnamdi into a whirlwind of conflict, loyalty, and tough decisions.

The film explores the complexities of family dynamics—how love, obligation, and sacrifice intertwine, often forcing individuals into moral grey areas. Nnamdi’s dilemma lies in balancing his loyalty to his family with his own aspirations and well-being. His struggle is made even more poignant by the pressure of his professional life, where his success is overshadowed by the mess his brother’s debts have caused.

In this tale of sacrifice, the central theme remains the lengths one is willing to go to for family. “Family Gbese” brings attention to how familial ties can both uplift and, at times, suffocate those bound by them. The characters’ emotional journeys are authentic, making it easy for the audience to empathize with Nnamdi’s internal conflict. While the film leans heavily on family drama, it is clear that the stakes are not just financial but deeply emotional, as loyalty becomes both a gift and a curse.

The performances are noteworthy, with Uzor Arukwe portraying Nnamdi’s internal struggle convincingly, and Mike Ezuruonye giving depth to Gozie’s self-destructive tendencies. The tension between the two characters is palpable, with the brothers’ contrasting personalities and values creating an engaging dynamic. Gozie’s character, caught in the throes of addiction, adds complexity to the narrative, challenging the audience to consider whether his actions are born from weakness, desperation, or both.

Desperate to protect his brother, Nnamdi finds himself forced to accept the dangerous request of a wealthy gang leader, Onise Ojo (Muyiwa Ademola), his mentor and former benefactor—which makes refusing a few levels close to the impossible.  The request, you ask? Helping Onise Ojo launder N200 million through his wealth project account. Thus, a moral dilemma sets in: accept and risk jeopardizing his career, reputation and relationship with Yetunde, the daughter to a wealthy family and current Attorney General of Osun state; reject and risk the death of his loved ones—and possibly himself.

Nnamdi’s struggles and sacrifices are relatable to the average Nigerian youth trying to balance career ambitions with family loyalty, all while facing an increasingly hostile society. Uzor Arukwe delivers a convincing performance, capturing his character’s internal and external pressure. It’s nothing spectacular, especially considering the more complex roles he’s tackled before, but to take anything away from his performance is to make Uzor a victim of his own success.

Mike Ezuruonye’s Gozie also goes through his own fair share of shege, although most–if not all–are of his own doing.  He’s the “Gbese” (problem) that sets this movie in motion and has a special talent of worsening already bad situations. Though he’s the stereotypical “family screw-up,” Ezuruonye injects his character with enough humor and vulnerability to make him more sympathetic than one might expect, so much so that his redemption arc is more than well-earned.

On the other hand, Lillian Afegbai’s Yetunde has little to do in this film other than to prove why family blood is thicker than relationship blood. Her mother, with less screen time had an arguably more memorable performance. When one considers that the said mother is played by Ireti Doyle in her full “rich aunty/aristocrat” glory, it becomes less of a surprise.

Not many folks may believe, but in a movie with Uzor Arukwe, Mike Ezuruonye, Lillian Afegbai, Ireti Doyle, Muyiwa Ademola and even Yemi Solade (who makes two brief appearances as a top executive in Meristem), its Teniola Aladese that steals the show.

As Ayomikun Balogun, a colleague and confidante to Nnamdi, Aladese’s natural charm and effortless performance make her the film’s most compelling character. It takes little time for her charm to captures Nnamdi’s heart—and that of the audience—exuding chemistry that sums up all that Yetunde never is. Her interactions with younger sister Lolade Balogun (Genoveva Umeh), are even more heartwarming. A tech enthusiast and obsessed with Singlish (Singaporean English), Lolade can only be described by three words: little miss delulu. Combine that with her sister’s charm and you get typical fun material.

“Family Gbese” offers a nuanced exploration of the African concept of family loyalty, where family is expected to stay close to the chest no matter how hard they may prick. While the modern viewer—especially those in Nigeria who grapple with a regressive economy and the complexities of family life—might find it difficult to relate to such extreme levels of loyalty, this movie it’s worthy reminder that a time may come when individual struggles are pit against collective needs and the former has to take the backseat.

The screenplay by Chinaza Onuzo and direction by Michelle Bello effectively highlight these themes, with solid technical execution across the board. However, the sound editing is a noticeable flaw, with some irregularities that detract from an otherwise polished production.

“Family Gbese” relatively simple and “safe” script ensures that it doesn’t break ground; being nothing more than a November flick serving its purpose of keeping viewers busy till the big dogs arrive at yuletide. But anyone who appreciates stories about family loyalty, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of modern life, will be more than happy to keep busy with this film.

Release Date: November 8, 2024

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours

Streaming Service: No, Cinematic release

Director: Michelle Bello

Cast: Uzor Arukwe, Mike Ezuruonye, Teniola Aladese, Lillian Afegbai, Ireti Doyle, Muyiwa Ademola, Fathia Balogun Williams, Sandra Okunzuwa, Adeniyi Johnson, Yemi Solade, Seun Kentebe and Susan Peters.