Title: STEAL THE BRIDE (1 – 4)

AKA: RUNAWAY BRIDE (1 – 4)

Starring: Van Vicker, Tonto Dikeh, Olu Jacobs, Sylvester Madu

Synopsis:

A young woman runs for her life when she realizes she was duped into a marriage to a heartless businessman.  

Review:

Chief Lucas (Olu Jacobs) was an old man that certainly hadn’t lost his faculties. He was slick enough to borrow money from Jelo (Sylvester Madu) and refused to pay it back. Jelo was a ruthless businessman and someone not to be toyed with. He had his boys “rough up” Chief Lucas but he continued to lie and claimed empty pockets. 

At his last chance to present the money or be killed, Chief Lucas still came up short. His niece, Sonia (Tonto Dikeh), happened to be in the right place at the right time and saved his life but not in the way one would think.

Jelo instantly forgave the loan the minute he laid eyes on Sonia. It was lust at first sight and as far as Jelo was concerned, Chief Lucas was a free man if Sonia agreed to marry him. She refused.

The chief saw the marriage as a way out and he made it his business to make sure a wedding happened. He justified the marriage to Sonia because Jelo could provide her a life of financial freedom. Although she was flatly against it, she later felt compelled because she believed the Chief didn’t have the money and she feared for his life.

On her wedding day, Sonia accidentally found the Chief’s briefcase which, was full of money. She was shocked and tried to convince him to pay his debt but he refused. She realized the chief fooled her and she tried to run away from the wedding ceremony. She didn’t get very far before Jelo’s thugs caught her and forced her to go through with the marriage.

At the wedding reception she was lucky enough to meet Mike (Van Vicker), who was Jelo’s half brother. The two brothers were complete opposites and Jelo always clarified that Mike was his half brother. Clearly, they didn’t get along but Mike showed up at the event to congratulate him.

During the celebration Sonia managed to alert Mike that she was in trouble. He believed her and was concerned enough to help her escape Jelo’s home. Mike and Sonia were officially on the run and Jelo was furious with Mike for taking his bride.  He was hell bent on finding his new wife even if it meant killing his brother in the process.

Let’s Talk. As soon as “Steal the Bride” opened up it was off and running. The audience goes on a journey with Mike and Sonia as they tried to prevent Jelo from consummating his marriage. Sonia was in no way in love with Jelo but he felt that he purchased her and had every right to her body.

The story was simple but well layered. Jelo and Mike were brothers with a tumultuous past and their relationship added fuel to the fire. As for Chief Lucas, he was a selfish man that was purely driven by greed. The fact that he would allow a young woman to pay his debt with her life was disheartening.

The movie took many twists and turns and even added a little humor but ultimately led to a happy ending.

Performances were fantastic. Olu Jacobs cracked me up with his portrayal of the greedy Chief Lucas. His character’s only motive was money and all I can remember him saying is “the money, the money.” Funny. Van Vicker and Tonto Dikeh had great chemistry as a couple and it was easy to root for them.

At the end of the day, “Steal the Bride” is what you call a movie. It’s a well-written drama by Sylvester Madu who also played the part of Jelo. He loaded the script with intrigue, violence, humor, and romance – all the elements to keep an audience entertained.

Please note that the movie is also known as “Runaway Bride.”   Highly RECOMMEND

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