“Love and Life,” released on Prime Video on December 29th, stands as a romantic drama produced by Tonggryang Pantu Steve Gukas and Dotun Olakunri. Directed by Ruben Reng and written by Brenda Ogbuka-Garuba, the film manages to sidestep the common clichés often associated with romantic dramas. Instead, it intricately explores the profound impact of friendship, albeit hindered by subplots that occasionally cause unnecessary pacing issues, leading to scenes that border on dull.
The ensemble cast comprises acclaimed actors, including Rita Dominic as Abike, Chidi Mokeme as Dekunle, Michelle Dede as Ivy, Nse Ikpe-Etim as Osas, Bassey Ekpo as Tyrone, Anthony Monjaro as Zenom, Ray Adeka as Dante, Miwa Olorunfemi as Tessy, Miracle Iyande as Simi, and Nadine Love as the pregnant lady.
“Love and Life” narrates the interconnected stories of three women grappling with diverse relationship challenges. The film unfolds as a journey of rediscovery and empowerment, emphasizing its core message—the enduring resilience of human connections. Despite occasional pacing concerns, the movie’s commitment to avoiding romantic clichés and focusing on the strength of friendships provides a refreshing take on the genre.
The film delves into the intertwined stories of three women: Abike, Ivy, and Osas. Abike, dealing with the profound grief of losing her husband Troyne to cancer, retreats from the world. She isolates herself from friends and avoids confronting the harsh realities of life without her soulmate, finding it overwhelming to navigate life without Troyne by her side.
Simultaneously, Ivy’s marriage encounters rough waters as her husband, Dekunle, grows distant, showing a preference for the company of his colleague Tessy over spending time with his wife. Ivy’s attempts to mend their relationship prove futile, deepening her frustrations.
Osas, entangled in a complex relationship with her younger lover, Dante, grapples with trust issues, becoming suspicious of Dante’s fidelity.
In the midst of Abike’s struggle with grief, she makes a conscious decision to break free from her pain and aid her friends in reclaiming their lives.
As Abike strives to rescue her friends, the question remains whether she will find salvation from her own predicament—a query best answered by watching the movie.
The characters adeptly interpreted their roles, drawing viewers into each of their individual journeys, Dekunle’s character exudes both seriousness and humor, particularly when caught in compromising situations with Tessy. We do not know whether to laugh at his behaviour or shake our head due to his apparent naivety when it comes to dealings with other women.
The movie’s production team deserves commendation for meticulously selecting setting locations that align with the characters’ affluent backgrounds. The intention to portray wealthy individuals is effectively realized even through the physical environment. The wardrobe team’s exceptional work ensures that the female characters are consistently beautifully dressed, radiating elegance even in challenging moments—an aesthetically pleasing detail.
In essence, the movie intricately weaves a heartfelt narrative around the complexities of love, life, and the enduring power of friendship.
The screenplay adeptly navigates between intense emotional moments and lighthearted humor, transforming the film into an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with the audience. A standout feature of the movie is its exceptional soundtrack, not merely serving as a backdrop but actively enhancing the emotional nuances of the story, thereby elevating the overall viewing experience.
The strategic use of lighting and carefully chosen color palettes adds a layer of visual richness, intensifying the emotional tone of each scene. This meticulous attention to visual elements ensures a captivating and immersive experience that seamlessly complements the narrative.
While Love and Life successfully transcends the clichés typically associated with romantic dramas by emphasizing the profound impact of friendship, the introduction of subplots tends to elongate the movie, leading to occasional moments of drag. Some scenes, particularly those involving Dante and Tessy, may be deemed unnecessary, contributing to the film’s pacing challenges.
From us at Kemi Filani, it’s7/10 for “Love and Life”.