Is one story that reflects some of the harsh realities of first sons and daughters in many Nigerian families.
It is the story of how they struggle to care for and provide for their parents and siblings… while slowly forgetting themselves in the process.
There are some first born child who decided not to get married or marry early, just because they want to make sure all there siblings and family are doing fine.
They channel their focus on helping the family and training their siblings and setting them up for life.
While this may look like a noble gesture, just like in the movie Monica, the trending movie by Uche Montana, these sacrifices are sometimes repaid with ingratitude, insults, blackmail, and emotional manipulation.
The character, Monica was denied a lot of things just so her younger ones could have them.
She grow up with the believe that the welfare of everyone was her responsibility.
So she was denied a better life, opportunities that would have changed her for good all just to provide for her parents and siblings who became manipulative and entitled.
She quit school so her younger ones can finish.
Infact, when a man came for her, Her mum said she was too young to marry.
Yet her younger sister was later allowed to marry…
At an even younger age.
And guess what?
She married the same man Monica was once told not to marry.
You would think Monica would learn her lesson.
But trust kind-hearted people.
They hardly learn quickly, especially when they are constantly manipulated and blackmailed into another act of kindness.
And the most annoying part?
These same people believed she had no right to cry, complain, or be angry.
They call her bitter, jealous and an angry woman.
The same woman who sacrificed her education for her siblings was called an illiterate.
For a moment, I thought Monica was either a maid in her father’s house, an adopted daughter or a family relative living with a wicked aunty because which mum would hear that a man in the neighborhood is harassing her daughter s3xually and won’t even make a move to protect her daughter? Monica really went through a lot.
The most frustrating part of this movie is the father.
He was voiceless, he couldn't head the family well.
He was a puppet who had no authority or control over his household.
Ironically, he was the only one who truly loved, appreciated, and supported Monica for her sacrifices… but he was never “man enough” to correct the injustice happening in his own home.
The movie eventually ended with Monica getting an opportunity to travel abroad.
But to me the ending wasn't satisfying.
I want to see how life got better for Monica.
In the end, the message is simple.Family problems never finish.
Even if you die today, the family will still survive somehow.