Adenike is the title character in Andrew Dosunmu’s “Mother of George,” and her central problem is George isn’t born yet. Or for that matter, conceived.
Set in the African immigrant population of New York City and lushly photographed (the Nigerian-born Dosunmu is a former fashion photographer; the cinematographer is Bradford Young), “Mother of George” is a revealing glimpse into Nigerian culture in a Western context, with a heartbreaking lead performance by Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead”). It is also achingly slow, with scene after scene lingering well past its usefulness.
The film opens with Adenike’s traditional wedding to Ayodele (Isaach De Bankole), who runs a restaurant. Ayodele’s mother (Bukky Ajayi), following tradition, names their unborn son George. Now it’s the new couple’s mission to provide the child to fit the name.
It’s not like they’re not trying. A year and a half later, the mother-in-law from hell blames Adenike for her inability to conceive. However, Adenike suspects it is her husband who is infertile.
Mom gets an idea: She will secretly arrange to have Ayodele’s brother Biyi (Tony Okungbowa) impregnate Adenike. are to be kept in the dark.
The obvious option — that Biyi provide sperm for in vitro fertilization — doesn’t occur to anyone, because while the family is in America, their traditions and beliefs remain firmly rooted in Nigeria.
The whole cast is good, but the film wouldn’t work without a great performance from Gurira, who is of Zimbabwe descent.
“Mother of George” is Dosunmu’s second film after the much-lauded “Restless City.”
