Movie Review: Although shiny, glamorous, and artistic, “All is Fair in Love” lacks depth

The movie “All is Fair in Love” is a movie by Esse Akwawa, Gloria Obichukwu, and Deyemi Okanlawon who has made a big transition from just being the front of cameras to the back of it as well, as a producer.

The movie which was released in cinemas on the 14th of February, 2024 is a collaboration of these production companies; Covenant studios, FilmOne Studios, and Accelerate Studios. 

Although the movie was all shiny and artistic, we were not too thrilled seeing it in the cinema, we’ll tell you why in a bit.

The movie features an ensemble cast of Nollywood A-listers and new actors including Deyemi Okanlawon who plays Demi, Timini Egbuson who plays Kanla, Ireti Doyle who plays Chief, Venita Akpofure, Juliet Ibrahim who plays Aira, Timilehin Ojeola who plays police, Buhle Samuels who plays Mbali, Lateef Adedimeji, Beauty Tukura, Kenzy Udosen, Kunle Bamtefa who plays Mr. Holloway Oprah Okereke who plays Police Detective, and Gbubemi Ejeye who plays Dupe among others.

Set in Lagos, the movie follows the story of Demi and Kanla, two friends turned brothers and fashion business partners with a booming business. All seems fine until they decide to expand their business into international territory, hence the search for the right PR that will give their business the needed illumination and investors.

Demi and Kanla’s quest for expansion takes a different turn with the introduction of Mbali, a PR with a great track record and equal beauty, who makes both men fall in love with her, and ignites the fire of a love triangle but is Mbali who she says she is? Will Demi and Kanla get needed business expansion from her? Which of the boys will Mbali choose at the end of the movie? You should head over to the cinema to find out.

Meanwhile, the production team of the movie deserves applause for their attention to detail, especially in the aspects of costuming, set design, and location.

The movie centers around the owners of a flourishing luxury fashion empire and the characters depict just that with their costumes; every single piece of attire worn in the movie was on fleek. Demi and Kanla live a luxurious fast life with regal houses, cars, and yachts, even Demi’s hobby of collecting art, and the fashion empire itself all scream luxury. The production team paid attention to every regal detail.

Despite the movie’s aesthetic prowess, it falls into the trap of a cliche storyline we’ve seen one too many times.

While the storyline is engaging, it painstakingly resembles a story we’ve seen a lot in the Hollywood space and even in Nollywood; a love triangle with a female lead with a not-too-bright motive. This puffs out the breath of fresh air that the movie could have otherwise given.

The performances of the characters are commendable, and the chemistry between the three characters gives the movie emotional depth, but there is this lacklustre air about the movie; we cannot particularly lay our finger on what it is.

It almost seems like amidst the glam, beauty, and luxurious portrayal of the movie, nothing else was exciting about it, and it lacks depth. The end of the movie is easily predicted and not relatable- going to work for EFCC? That’s so Hollywood, sis. 

The action scene towards the end of the movie was supposed to be a great twist, predictable but great, but then it was not well executed, hence it did not elicit the heart-thumping feeling a satisfying resolution does. 

In another aspect, “All is Fair in Love” profers interesting themes that are relatable in society as it depicts family disputes where parent and child take actions based on emotional wounds they won’t allow to heal as seen in the case of Demi and his Father.

The movie also depicts a love triangle in the workspace and how it can destroy friendships and even businesses especially if the parties involved know each other. 

Above all, the movie depicts the bond of brotherhood carved out from friendship and how it can conquer any hurdle thrown at it as seen in the story of Dekan- Demi and Kanla.

Other glitches in the movie almost tuned its gold shade down a notch darker than it already has been. There were scenes where the foreign languages spoken by the characters were not translated on our screens, for instance when Kanla and Mbali spoke another language during their date. That particular scene also had editing issues as the visuals did not accurately follow the audio sounds.

While “All is Fair in Love” may not break new grounds in terms of storyline, it delivers a striking cinematic experience. The movie pulls a balance between glam, love, deceit, and brotherhood, it keeps viewers intrigued.

In conclusion, despite its lack of depth and mediocre storyline, the movie is visually appealing and entertaining. It is a commendable effort by the production team giving viewers a hot blend of glam, fashion, love, deceit, and the strength of the brotherhood bond.

From us at Kemi Filani, it is 6.8/10 for the movie “All is Fair in Love”.