Title: PAINT MY LIFE (1 & 2)

Sequel: END OF PAINT MY LIFE  (Full Story)

Starring: Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh, Daniel K. Daniel, Enebeli Elebuwa, Emeka Okoro

Synopsis: 

A former Ambassador tries to protect his bipolar daughter from self-sabotage while preserving his own reputation but she rebels against him and announces her misdeeds to the local newspapers.

Review:

Afi (Ini Edo) is mentally disturbed and bipolar. She meets Friday (Daniel K. Daniel) by chance while shopping for a painting. He’s a talented artist and she’s intrigued by his work. She returns to his studio at a later date and strips herself naked so he can draw her. She comes on to him as well but he resists her advances realizing that she’s mentally off balance.

It turns out that Daniel owes a huge debt and thugs arrive to beat him up for not paying. Afi takes it upon herself to make a deal with his debtor, Cally, played by Emeka Okoro. The deal on the table is one night in bed with Cally and Friday’s debt is paid in full. It’s not until after Afi pays the price with her body does she realize that Friday is engaged to his sales assistant (Tonto Dikeh). Afi mistook Friday’s attention as romance and the discovery of a fiancée blows her over the edge. Her fury propels her to lie and accuse Friday of rape and he is sentenced to prison as a result. 

Afi later suffers regret and wants to announce the truth to the newspapers so that Friday is released but her father discourages her from doing so in fear she would land in prison for perjury. Through unconventional methods, Afi manages to get her story printed and it’s downhill from there.

Let’s Talk. In terms of story it’s pleasing to see beautiful artwork in the backdrop of the scenes and Tchidi Chikere manages to bring awareness to bipolar illness. 

The story becomes sketchy when Friday winds up in jail. What evidence could have possibly been presented in court for him to go to prison? He never touched Afi. Is it really that easy for a woman to send a man to prison? Afi’s father sent her to some of the best psychiatrists in the world. Where was Friday’s defense team to prove Afi is crazy?

As for continuity it seemed that one minute Friday was beat up and bruised and the next he was cured and flawless. Maybe the lapse in time should have been better established.

In terms of acting, Ini Edo certainly breathed life into the script and did a believable job playing a suicide prone, bipolar patient. She took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with her temper tantrums, mood swings, and multiple personalities.

Unfortunately, Daniel K. Daniel seemed a little stiff at times and seemed to be just saying his lines. Tonto Dikeh had a smaller role but didn’t disappoint.

“Paint My Life” isn’t spectacular but Ini Edo’s performance should keep you engaged. RECOMMEND   

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