After holding a private screening at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas about two weeks ago, Cheta Chukwu’s Payday now has a trailer. In some way, it feels like a small triumph given how the movie’s release suffered a postponement back in April.
“I go for scripts with strong characters and unique story,” Chukwu said to Nigerian Pilot in May. Based on that, you might be inclined to feel that Payday has more substance than the usual comedy churn. The trailer, on the surface, almost justifies Chukwu’s penchant for more-than-average filmmaking ingredients.
There’s a huge measure of relief in seeing that the trailer follows through a coherent arc. Also, Baaj Adebule is proving to be more than just a pretty face, with a decent run in television (The Governor, Hush) and starring in Imoh Umoren’s wholly forgetful heist thriller Club released last month.
Payday puts Adebule in a role that tests his ability to manufacture comic salvo, unlike his punchline-ready co-star and comedian Ebiye Victor, who joyously says, “Tonight we are going to sink our balls into every hole,” in the wake of their landlord’s death with seemingly no heir.
Partly a commentary on youthful exuberance, and debauchery, the trailer provides slices of action, fake cocaine, and a gun battle? Paul (Adebule) and Ortega (Victor) are entangled in some dark, shady business as they try to raise the rent money they owe for their apartment. They have a month, as ordered by the unexpected visit of their deceased landlord’s daughter (Meg Otanwa).
Most interesting is seeing Adebule and Victor in clumsy make-up. Guess we will find out why, when Payday premieres in select theaters today.
When Bernard Dayo isn’t writing about pop culture, he’s watching horror movies and reading comics and trying to pretend his addiction to Netflix isn’t a serious condition.
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