An appealing but undemanding tale

Review of Behind a Smile
By Obidike Okafor (Next, Nigeria)

Behind a Smile is a simmering cauldron of emotion, deceit and romantic intrigue. Fred loves Stacy, but that’s only until he meets and falls for Mara. As for Mara, her attention quickly shifts to Fred’s best friend, Majid. The characters are soon embroiled in a love triangle, or is it a square?

Successful businessman Fred (played Majid Michel) works for Pyramid Industries, thanks largely to his relationship with Stacy (Omoni Oboli)—her parents own the company.

While escaping the thieves, sent by purported friend Majid (Jim Iyke), Fred meets and is sheltered by Mara (Nadia Buari). He eventually falls in love with her and, predictably, incurs the wrath of Stacy’s parents, who take everything from him. Fred forges ahead with Mara, selflessly donating a kidney to save her life.

Ironically, he is later involved in a near-fatal car crash and is badly injured. Majid seizes the opportunity to court Mara while Fred recuperates; Stacy leaves the country, pregnant with Fred’s child.

Despite its occasional dips in quality, director Frank Rajah Arasee’s passionate melodrama remains compelling entertainment. Jim Iyke appears in his now familiar role of the “bad boy” while, as is common in Nollywood nowadays, popular Ghanaian performers are adroitly incorporated into the cast.

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