With ‘Ponzi’, Kayode Kasum offers a comic satire reflecting Nigeria’s realities[Pulse Movie Review]

His latest cinematic release, a satirical comedy titled ‘Ponzi’ is a case in point for the filmmaker’s clear defiance of Nollywood styled comedies and this certainly explains why the proverbial average film lover might find it overwhelming.

Written by Toluwani Obayan ( ‘This Lady Called Life’), the comedy centres on low-class earning neighours who invest in a Ponzi investment scheme. When their investment falls through, the distraught friends embark on an amateurish heist.

Though hampered by a chaotic opening, ‘Ponzi’ has a clear cut message. It is an experimental show intended to dramatize the gullibility of the low-income class, one which it craftily achieves by creating a villain with a masked messiah complex first offering salvation.

On another end, ‘Ponzi’ is a tale of systemic classism, the oppressor versus the oppressed and how occasionally, the oppressed find a semblance of cosmic justice. ‘Ponzi’ might be untypically Nollywood comedy in style, but it reflects the lives of Nigeria’s majority.

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Despite the ambitiousness of the story, ‘Ponzi’ had a few unanimated scenes, a little too much for a comedy. Some of the film’s cast also did not do their characters any justice.

For a barely educated grill and bar owner, Tope Tedela‘s character appeared too refined and well-spoken. Then there’s Zubby Michael‘s character who is of no real relevance to the story but wields a towering presence from start to finish.

Ultimately, amid its flaws, ‘Ponzi’ wraps up nicely with a resolution worthy of its rollercoaster ride. The movie is currently showing in cinemas.