Black November

There's little going on in the final product other than good intentions, as Jeta Amata always seems overreaching for the right buttons to push.

Hollywood and Nollywood collaborate to underwhelming effect in Jeta Amata's impassioned but inert issue thriller.

At once passionate and cynical, Amata skillfully lays out the ways that Nigeria is screwed.

There's a go-for-broke vigor to the way Mr. Amata cuts to the conflict in most scenes, but the heavy-handedness across the board imposes some significant limitations. Mr. Amata, though, pulls no punches with his ending.

Filled with declamatory speeches, stereotypical characters and heavily telegraphed, melodramatic plot developments, the film fails to work as either thriller or politically themed drama.

Basinger, Rourke, Anne Heche, Vivica A. Fox, Akon and Wyclef Jean all appear lost or disengaged in bit parts that give a B-movie feel to a political passion project.

It's difficult to look past the deadening effect of the clichéd storytelling.

Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata clearly feels passionate about the problems in his country, but despite the presence of Hollywood stars the movie is made in a style that will feel amateurish to Western audiences.

... raises some compelling true-life sociopolitical issues but lacks the subtlety or focus to become suitably provocative.

The film is devoid of subtext, filled with cardboard stand-ins for contrasting viewpoints on the powder keg of social and political issues facing Nigeria.