Title: Lady
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Olive Nwosu
Starring: Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah, Amanda Oruh, Tinuade Jemiseye
Runtime: 1hr 36 min

What It Is: A taxi driver named Lady (Jessica Gabriels Ujah) reconnects with her long-lost childhood friend Pinky (Amanda Oruh), who has become a prostitute. After some monetary convincing, she becomes the personal chauffeur for a group of ladies of the night — all amid a country that is actively crumbling around them. Things seem to be going well for Lady, until the darkness of the sex workers’ lives starts rearing its ugly head.

What We Think: I had an interesting experience with this film. When the theater started it, the movie played for roughly 20 minutes without subtitles. I was admittedly sweating in my seat because I couldn’t understand what was being said and was genuinely concerned that I wouldn’t be able to fairly rate it. I even worried I was the only one struggling, since no one else seemed confused. Had my ears finally given out on me? Given my time around loud instruments, highly possible.

Luckily, the film was stopped, Sundance fixed the technical difficulty, and voilà — subtitles. They restarted the movie, and I was relieved to discover that my hearing was just as bad as it already was, not worse.

And I’m really glad they turned on those subtitles, because Lady was a glorious hit.

This is a beautifully shot film showcasing Nigeria and life within the country. The characters are as vibrant as the neon colors that give the movie its undeniable atmosphere. Lady is an excellent, layered character whom you feel genuine empathy for. Every actor here understood the assignment and gave their all.

This year’s Sundance featured many strong contenders, and this was no exception. Watching Lady grow into who she becomes by the end of the film brought me to the edge of tears. Her friendship with Pinky is a highlight. Jessica Gabriels Ujah and Amanda Oruh have undeniable chemistry; their tension always feels palpable. Hats off to both performers — the final scenes between them had me tearing up.

Our Grade: B+, Sundance brought a lot of fire to the festival, and this was one of the brightest flames. I genuinely enjoyed the hell out of this film and found it culturally illuminating. I wouldn’t hesitate to rewatch it if given the opportunity. The movie is red-hot, dangerous, and glamorous. Lady is unforgettable and absolutely deserves a watch.