What a movie this is! I smile anytime I remember Perfect Gentleman because it is just such a good time. I don’t think any other gospel movie has got me laughing like it…ever! And I’m not even sure it set out to be in the Comedy genre. However, the earnestness with which all its characters delivered their lines and acted out the script makes it down-to-earth and downright funny. It is a light-hearted drama that stands miles apart from every other production I’ve seen from GACEM Films. This is an early candidate for my annual Top 10 Gospel Movies list.
I love the story concept, and sometimes, the dialogues are so sincere that I wonder if they were all scripted. Nonetheless, the screenplay must have provided the film with a solid foundation, and I commend the director for this final product. It is just a pity that the screenwriter is not named; I would urge producers to always ensure that no crew member is left out of the credits.
The acting in Perfect Gentleman is just brilliant. There is genuine chemistry between the main and supporting cast, and they all seemed to be at their optimal best. Gbenga Ayoola delivers the serious and comical aspects of his Tola (Silva?) character remarkably, while the banters between Damilare Adedeji’s Sanya and John Oguntuase’s Jacob are loud and hilarious. Ajoke delivers her lines with impressive ease, while Chioma and Mope are laudable foils for Toluwani Ibitoye Fatola’s Eunice, always setting the platform for social commentary.
The cinematography in Perfect Gentleman was commendable. Furthermore, the selected background tunes were very nice, though a singular use alongside onset music repelled. Sound effects that are commonplace (and often misplaced) in (previous) GACEM movies found a home here, though they were eventually overused too. The movie merits its lengthy duration because there’s hardly a dull moment in it.
At its core, Perfect Gentleman is a love story, and highlights the importance of God’s will in marriage and individuals’ roles in actualizing it. Only because this is a key area of the movie would I now point out that their story could have done with a bit more cohesion. In the early stages, Tola and Eunice seemed to be courting, but later, it appeared Tola had only proposed, with Eunice yet to give a response. The movie oscillates between these two standpoints, and that undermines its theme of waiting on the Lord a bit, as well as the logicality of Tola’s quest to becoming the perfect gentleman. Similarly, the accident event and the second birthday were not credible or even necessary in my opinion, thereby making the closing stages rather untidy.
In conclusion, I recommend Perfect Gentleman for your viewing pleasure and blessedness.
The link to the movie is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXZbW8gozlA
Till the next review, stay blessed!
Film Credits
PERFECT GENTLEMAN
(February 14, 2024)
120 minutes
GACEM Films
Cast
Gbenga Ayoola as Tola
Toluwani Ibitoye Fatola as Eunice
Damilare Adedeji as Sanya
John Oguntuase as Jacob
Opeyemi Abiodun as Mope
Bukunmi Samson as Chioma
Crew
Director
Adeniyi Famewo
Screenwriter
–
Cinematographers
Damilare Adegoke and Tobi Awodele
Editor
Idowu Ayinde
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