Mr A: Genesis

Mr A: Genesis is a comedic drama and follows Ayotunde “Mr A” Akinlade (Noah Olaoye), a 27-year-old English teacher and pastor navigating life between the lively chaos of a secondary school classroom and a Black-majority church in Liverpool. The narrative follows Ayo’s struggles with self-doubt and his journey to overcome it and find his purpose.

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of Mr A: Genesis is its themes of faith and identity. Sadly, stories about young Black British-Nigerian men remain rare outside of London, so setting the film in Liverpool feels incredibly uplifting. Elevating voices and talent from underrepresented individuals outside London is so important, and the film’s sense of community helps it to feel personal in that respect. The film feels incredibly lived-in with its distinct setting, and it's refreshing to see the perspective of a young Black Scouse individual navigating his struggles with identity and self-doubt. From the opening frame to the end, the filmmaking creates unease and firmly places the audience in the central character’s point of view. It's an incredibly engaging experience, as the film seamlessly shifts from the pressure of Ayo leading his church’s 30th-anniversary service to his interactions with his students.

It's immediately effortless to become invested in Ayo’s life and sympathise with his struggles thanks to his heartwarming personality and journey to leadership. The church community and other teachers within the narrative put profound pressure on him to conform to societal norms, and his unique teaching style is awe-inspiring. Despite the initial lack of characterisation, by the film's conclusion, the audience is confronted with the personal and profound struggles Ayo has learned to overcome. That said, the brisk runtime is a detriment to the experience, as the narrative isn’t given enough breathing room to flesh out the themes of faith and identity. While the narrative presents these ideas in an engaging way, it is never given enough time to fully interrogate them.

From a technical perspective, the film is incredibly creative with its camerawork and inventive editing choices. Steven Wyn Owen serves as the film's cinematographer, and utilises a mix of wide shots and extreme close-ups when venturing into Ayo’s point-of-view. It's an incredibly evocative choice as it feels intimate and personal, allowing the viewer to become invested in his character’s arc throughout. This is accompanied by the frenetic editing that seamlessly transitions from Ayo in the midst of teaching to leading the service for his church. Ayo’s role of leadership is a primary theme throughout and executed profoundly through the film's technical prowess.

The ensemble performances are terrific throughout, with a compelling lead performance from Noah Olaoye as Mr. A. His performance exudes tenderness while balancing the comedic and dramatic tone of the script profoundly; it's a wonderful turn from Noah Olaoye that feels personal and uplifting. The supporting players, including the child performances, are also fantastic, and the chemistry between each cast member feels natural.

However, outside of Ayo’s character arc being executed to its fullest, the narrative isn't given enough time to explore the supporting characters. Sadly, the conclusion to the narrative doesn't feel entirely earned and would have benefited from a more prolonged runtime to build on the supporting characters and their role in Ayo’s growth.

Mr A: Genesis is an inspiring tale of self-doubt and having the confidence to believe in oneself. Despite its flaws, the film possesses a terrific lead performance from Noah Olaoye and an inspiring message. Mr A: Genesis is a flawed yet endearing piece of indie filmmaking.