Palava Is Always Real in Families

Palava is the most recent work of Niyi Akinmolayan, which in its real sense depicts palava. Osa Wonda is a highlife musician with five daughters from several women. His career dies because of a scandal with one of his women, but it is revived after some years due to a viral song. His career takes a different turn when another child comes into the picture causing the actual palava.

It is safe to say that Osa Wonda, who is the protagonist in the movie, causes most of the palavas because of his severe love for women. The movie is introduced in that direction to properly show us the character of Osa Wonda and, eventually, a voice over narrating his life by his daughter, Charlie, who is a documentary filmmaker, played by Beverly Naya. This narration helps the storyline because the plot is scattered and partly vague, which leaves one asking a lot of questions like why the entire family is so interested in one deal for their father’s career.

Palava’s greatest flaw is the fact that Osa Wonda (Richard Mofe-Damijo) never really sings any song in the movie despite being a highlife musician. He doesn’t lip sync either. It is as though the videographer has a way of not centering the camera on him whenever he sings. This flaw is slightly hidden because the highlife songs are very interesting that one may concentrate on it and forget the singer isn’t singing. Big accolades go to the music team for developing the songs for the movie, especially Daddy’s Little Girls.

It was beautiful to see Osa Wonda profess and confess love to his ex-wife. Richard Mofe-Damijo fits the lover boy role excellently. He does this in Fine Wine by Seyi Babatope and his number of online wives quadrupled. The rest of the other actors brought their A-game despite the confused plot. It’s usually always a delight when Bisola Aiyeola blesses our screens with her movie roles. The movie was given Chief Daddy 2 vibes because some of the stupidest scenes are relatable. Also, Omawunmi reminds me of Rachel Onicha of blessed memory in the same movie.

Palava is the kind of movie a family can watch together because it highlights the happenings in a family.

Network: Cinema

Release Date: 2022

Runtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Director: Niyi Akinmolayan

Cast: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bisola Aiyeola, Jemima Osunde, Beverly Naya, Beverly Osu, Linda Ejiofor, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Neo Akpofure.