Take a long, hard, cold stare at that poster. How does it make you feel? Happy? Cheeky? Like Kid & Play are back in the game? I don’t know about you but it makes a chill run down my spine and my stomach turn as if I’ve just been told I must watch Enter the Void on 24 hour repeat whilst constantly on an acid trip.
Femi Oyeniran, who has previously starred in Kidult/Adulthood, writes/directs/produces/stars in this film about a wealthy teenager who decides to enroll at his cousins local state school. The reason is some angst-y teenage search for identity. In his new school he meets a variety of stereotypes and fuck heads who say “safe” and “blud” a few billion times. The title “It’s a lot” is a street phrase apparently. Whilst admittedly it’s been a while since I used to bounce around the ghetto suburbs in my Sean John jeans but it reminds of when Sergio Leone titled “Duck, You Suckers!” thinking that it was a popular phrase. If I’m wrong about that one feel free to back hand my jive chops.
Plot goes; Oyeniran’s Shawn throws a party while his folks are aware in order to impress the school “hotty”/douch-bag. House becomes wrecked. Parents Lamborghini becomes wrecked. Money must be raised in order to replace things. All this done whilst people shout “MAN” at the top of their voices, un-threatening gangsters do sub-Tarantino “menacing” dialogue and Oyeniran uses the most ridiculous “posh” accent this side of Keanu Reeves in ‘Dracula’. I’m aware I’ve already used “” too many times so I’ll stop. Vaguely recognizable faces turn up, you know you can name an advert they may have been in but have no idea of their names, turn up to mug their way loudly through scenes because Oyeniran doesn’t have the thought to rein them in. It’s nice that everyone looks like they’re having a good time.
Fair play to Oyeniran for mounting a production in four roles but what It’s A Lot shows is that he should master at least one before taking on more. The photography looks washed out, scenes seem to appear from nowhere as though he and the cast thought it would be funny and their visual flourishes that would look better in a music video. Whilst I’m an admirer of Tim Westwood and his work for hip-hop in the UK there is no excuse for having him on camera. And I think I leave it there.
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