by
Franklin Ugobude
Most times, when sequels are made, they’re done because there’s a yearning for the story to continue or it seems to have a winning formula and business-wise, there’s a profit to be gleaned. Tope Oshin’s New Money released in 2018 seemed like a story that had reached its climax. The heroine, Toun Odumosu came into money, pursued her dream, found love in the most unexpected place and somehow, won over deceitful family members. Something similar to the ultimate Nigerian dream, you know?
Two years later, there’s a sequel, written by Chinaza Onuzo, who is credited with writing the screenplay to the first movie. This time, the story throws its lens on the leeching ex-boyfriend, Quam who seems like a character you’ll want to see in very little proportions and not a central character with his own story. In the new movie, we see Quam, aka Sweet Boy Q, who has become a millionaire fall into troubled times after he loses most of his wealth to a group of fraudsters. Recovering his money is his sole mission and he will go all the way to get this. This premise is what sets the tone for the remaining two hours of the movie.
Directed by Kayode Kasum and produced by Inkblot Productions, Quam’s Money recruits an ensemble cast of amazing actors such as Nse Ikpe-Etim, Michelle Dede, Folarin Falz Falana, Toni Tones, Williams Uchemba, Karibi Fubara, and Buchi Ojieh. Jemima Osunde and Blossom Chukwujekwu also reprise their roles from New Money.
Sequels have the natural tendency to be very sloppy especially when it feels like the story is being milked for anything that can give appropriate screen time and make viewers enthusiastic enough to part with their money for tickets. Quam’s Money, however, tells what looks like a probably better story than the original, and makes it enjoyable while doing so.
In the beginning, Quam (Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana) meets Ozzy (Nse Ikpe-Etim) who is supposed to be the leader of the fraudsters and their on-screen romance is more electrifying than typical Nollywood fare. The chemistry is great and makes their act very believable every time they’re on the screen together.
Another person who’s brilliant is Emeka (Williams Uchemba) who comes across as believable in what feels like the best role he’s played since his switch from Instagram to Nollywood. Apart from when he overcompensates with his voice, he is decent and does well alongside his on-screen partner Eme (Toni Tones)
Quam’s Money leans on lines from popular culture and considering the crowd that it hopes to appeal to, it’s right on-brand for them. The one-liners are hilarious, the acting is a lot better and the story adds up alright. There’s a bit of a stretch towards the end of the movie but it bounces back very quickly and saves itself from the issue that it would have been.
There are a few lapses in the movie. There’s a point when Quam is expected to have received a call from some bitcoin operator to confirm a payment he’s made and it seems very out of place, especially because bitcoin is a decentralized system of payment and under normal circumstances, he shouldn’t have. Also, it seems like a bit of a stretch that Quam is charged for terrorism. Apart from these stumbles along the way, Quam’s Money is enjoyable and a better watch than the original film. It may go on for way too long but, at least, you’re laughing for most of it.
Franklin Ugobude is a writer who enjoys covering culture, and Nollywood and writes a monthly newsletter called Frankly Thought Out which you should definitely subscribe to.