Following the money in ‘Quam’s money’

Reviewer: Taiwo Adeniyi

Movie:      Quam’s money

Director: Kayode Kasum

Year Produced:         2020

This sequel takes the story of ‘New money’ which was released in 2018 further. Unlike the first movie where Toun Odumosu (Jemima Osunde) took the lead role, ‘Quam’s Money’ follows the money Quam Omole (Folarin Falz Falana), the estranged and leeching lover of Toun, made from the sale of a betting company. It sees the return of Jemima Osunde and Blossom Chukwujekwu who continue their love story that was ignited after the Lagos Fashion Week in the first movie.

Quam Olanrewaju Omole (Falz) plays the lead role in this sequel released in 2020. It was directed by Kayode Kasum and produced by Inkblot, House 21, and Film One. Falz in his usual style and accent provided the comic mix in the movie with his astonishing interpretation of his roles. He let it all out in the movie showing his class in the clubhouse, extravagant spending and lifestyle unlike his cameo in ‘New Money’. The security guard turned multimillionaire became the toast of ladies, talk of the town, and top trends on social media due to his profligate lifestyle which also exposed him to danger.

• Kano announces plans for new road transport authority
• Banditry: Military operation falters as gunmen choke from lack of fuel, others

His life, however, took a nosedive, when his empire started crashing after he was scammed of N500million by Ozzy (Nse Ikpe-Etim), the supposed leader of one of the most wanted notorious international fraudsters, the Borrow Borrow Boys.

The plot follows Quam also known as QOO, Sweet Boy Q or Quame for short as he went on a goose chase to recover his money having turned down the help of the government anti-fraud agency on hearing that it could take two years before his money can be recovered.

Ironically, his attempt to recover his money from the fraudsters led him into more crises bringing him to his lowest ebb including spending time behind bars on a terrorism charge.

As in ‘New Money’ his redemption lies with Toun Odumosu, who had a choice to continue her blossoming career as a fashion guru or get trodden with Quam’s baggage again.

Unlike the first installment, the best way to appreciate this movie is to see it as a comedy, especially with the act of Falz who won the Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for his role in ‘New Money.’

Also, Ozzy (Nse Ikpe-Etim) was so good in her roles that it aided the twist on revealing the brains behind the Borrow Borrow Boys. The script is top notch in that aspect and the introduction of Toun Odumosu was quite perfect. Her involvement with Quam all through the sequel was well interpreted. The producer did well to capture the past, as it relates to the relationship between Quam and Toun, without extending the already long movie. Though viewers who had not seen ‘New Money’ might have quite a difficult time understanding some things in the movie like the Audere Group and how a young girl busied with her fashion business turned a billionaire.

This movie, however, showed how fraud has eaten deep into the fabric of the society and the extent to which people can go for money. Though the motive of the fraudsters and their unquenchable quest for money was not revealed by the producers, they showed what people can do to have money just because of their love for it.

Viewers are, however, left to assume the motive of Hadiza Kuje (Michelle Dede) who was all out to arrest the mastermind of the scam syndicate.

Also among societal ills that have received little condemnation is the state of Nigeria’s prison cells. Suspects are subjected to inhumane treatment and locked up in unkempt facilities while authorities offer them as sacrifices to mosquitoes. The suspects, as revealed in ‘Quam’s Money’ are barely dressed and exposed while they are made to sleep in terrible conditions.

What led Quam to the cell with a terrorism charge? Shoving a senator into the pool? The producer overplayed this, while they presented Quam’s offense as irredeemable for him to become a pawn in the hands of the Borrow Borrow Boys. They could have drawn another offense but not based on terrorism because he had no motive and there was nothing whatsoever to support the allegations except the producers were also trying to reveal another societal ill – the power of the high and mighty to destroy anybody they so wish to destroy.

Also, the marital status of Hadiza Kuje (Michelle Dede) was in the spotlight probably to get her married but that was not made to be. This shows a flaw in the script except the whole movie is to prepare the ground for another movie which would now provide answers to several questions, including why the duo of Emeka (Williams Echemba) and Eme (Toni Tones) were requesting for deal?

What happens to Quam with the largesse he got from aiding the arrest of the Borrow Borrow Boys? Did he marry Ozzy, Hadiza, or got back to Toun?

Cast Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana (Quam Omole), Nse Ikpe-Etim (Ozzy), Williams Echemba (Emeka), Toni Tones (Eme), Michelle Dede (Hadiza Kuje), Karibi Fubara (Rotimi), Buchi Ojei, Jemima Osunde (Toun Odumosu), Blossom Chukwujekwu (Fineboy).