‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ is bold concept that’s full of nostalgia, laughs

Director: Funke Akindele, Tunde Olaoye

Solid: Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Funke Akindele, Endurance Ozokwor, Jackie Appiah, Bisola Aiyeola, Falz, Lateef Adedimeji, Future Etiko, Jide Kosoko, D’banj.

Working time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Streaming Platform: Cinemas

The Jenifa franchise, which started in 2008, isn’t any stranger to me—or anybody, for that matter. From her humble beginnings in Ayetoro to her meteoric rise as a comedic icon, Jenifa has turn out to be greater than only a fictional character—she’s a logo of resilience, progress, and humour within the face of life’s challenges.

With Everyone Loves Jenifa, Funke Akindele has as soon as once more confirmed her prowess within the business. The movie shattered box-office data, pulling in ₦45 million on its opening day and setting a brand new report in Nollywood, grossing N511 million in simply 12 days. This success and its participating storyline will depart viewers Excited and intrigued.

It additionally had a record-breaking opening weekend with N206 million, marking the largest Nollywood movie debut ever. The film continues Funke’s field workplace success after her earlier hit, A Tribe Referred to as Judah, which earned over N1 billion. It additionally brings again iconic characters from the 2008 Jenifa sequence.

However past the jaw-dropping numbers and nostalgic pull, one query lingers: Does this newest outing reside as much as the legacy? And extra importantly, what message is Jenifa making an attempt to move this time?

In Everyone Loves Jenifa, Funke Akindele doesn’t simply depend on nostalgia or the viewers’s unshakable love for the Jenifa character. As an alternative, she crafts a narrative past laughs, weaving collectively neighborhood, empowerment, and justice themes. This movie’s mix of humour and drama is entertaining and emotionally participating, making it a must-watch for all Nollywood followers.

Plot

The film begins with Jenifa (Funke Akindele) heroically rescuing a baby from a burning home, incomes reward from her neighborhood, Amen Property. Her boyfriend, Shege (Falz), introduces her to his enterprise, “Shege-Jenifa Water,” displaying his admiration for her.

Jenifa then focuses on her basis, serving to individuals acquire vocational abilities by way of partnerships with trainers like movie star cook dinner Hilda Baci and designer Veekee James. Whereas being honoured as a humanitarian, Jenifa’s goodwill is examined when she meets Lobster (Stan Nze) and his spouse Olivia (Nancy Isime), who runs a profitable NGO that outshines Jenifa’s basis. Jenifa’s proposal to companion with Lobster’s basis is rejected, and her envy grows.

Issues take a darkish flip when Olivia uncovers Lobster’s fraudulent actions and is attacked by him, leaving her in a coma. Regardless of warnings from Olivia to her direct household, Mrs Agnes, her mom (Endurance Ozokwor), who advantages from Lobster, retains mum on her allegations. Jenifa confronts Lobster in regards to the home violence and asks him to report himself to the police. Lobster, disguised as a knight, threatens Jenifa, however she insists on a police investigation, although others dismiss her claims as hallucinations.

Jenifa, joined by Olivia’s sister Ogechi, seeks assist from Madam Bassey (Bisola Aiyeola), a ladies’s rights advocate. Madam Bassey, who has her previous of home abuse, agrees to take Olivia’s case. As Lobster faces strain, Jenifa organises a cultural pageant, however threats from Lobster’s associates power them to hunt security at Cordelia’s home after an assassination try.

Whereas on a enterprise journey to Ghana, Jenifa is shocked when Shege proposes, however she rejects him. The crew then will get caught up in a drug hunt by Smith (Chimezie Imo), resulting in Adaku (Omotunde Adebowale) being held hostage. Jenifa’s pal Toyosi (Juliana Olayode) confesses to being concerned in drug coping with Sheriff (Dbanj), which brings harmful gang members like Bebe (Jackie Appiah) into their lives. The gang kidnaps and tortures the crew, however the police intervene and arrest Bebe and her associates.

Again in Nigeria, Jenifa is widely known by Amen Property for exposing Lobster’s home abuse, which might have led to Olivia’s demise. She additionally receives a ₦100 million grant for her basis. Shege returns and proposes to her in entrance of the neighborhood, and she or he accepts. The film ends with Lobster’s accomplices, Angel and Jabu, being arrested.

Character Evaluation

Funke Akindele as Jenifa: Jenifa is the center of the story—a selfless, humorous, and relatable determine. She balances her comedic persona along with her dedication to empowering ladies by way of her Jenifa Basis, typically tackling severe points like home violence and crime. Her resilience and unwavering drive to assist others shine by way of, even within the face of non-public challenges.

Stan Nze as Lobster: Lobster is a morally advanced antagonist navigating the road between philanthropy and crime. As against the law boss with connections to pretend NGOs, his actions drive a lot of the strain within the story. Whereas his character is entertaining, a deeper exploration of his motivations and backstory would have added depth to his villainy.

Jackie Appiah as Bebe: Bebe is a crafty and harmful character operating a drug trafficking operation below the guise of a reputable enterprise. On the similar time, her Kingpin function provides rigidity; her character typically feels underdeveloped, lacking alternatives to delve into her Kingpin persona and aura.

Nancy Isime as Olivia: Olivia’s journey from a seemingly snug life in a poisonous marriage to uncovering her husband Lobster’s felony actions is emotionally charged. Her story touches on self-empowerment and resilience, though her character may benefit from extra narrative focus.

Future Etiko as Angel: Angel, a aspect chick entangled with Lobster, exposes his extramarital affairs and complicates his storyline. Her actions not directly push Jenifa to confront Lobster’s felony actions, however her motivations and backstory stay underexplored.

Endurance Ozokwor as Mrs Agnes: Mrs Agnes represents conventional cultural attitudes, typically dismissing her daughter Olivia’s marital considerations. Her character illustrates generational and societal pressures on ladies however might have a extra substantial presence within the narrative.

Omotunde Adebowale as Adaku: Adaku is a supportive pal in Jenifa’s inside circle, providing knowledge and steering. Her subplot round home violence is highly effective however feels rushed, limiting its emotional affect.

Falz as Shege: Shege, Jenifa’s boyfriend, gives comedian reduction and emotional help. His playful but loving nature enhances Jenifa’s character, although his insecurities trace at a extra nuanced persona.

Juliana Olayode as Toyosi: Toyosi transitions from a loyal pal to a morally ambiguous character concerned within the drug commerce, inadvertently endangering Jenifa. Her subplot highlights desperation and remorse however stays underdeveloped.

Bisola Aiyeola as Madam Bassey: Madam Bassey is a passionate ladies’s rights advocate who helps Jenifa handle Lobster’s abuse. Whereas energetic and impactful in her scenes, her function is underutilised.

Chimezie Imo as Smith: Smith is Bebe’s henchman, pivotal in escalating the hazard surrounding Jenifa. His involvement hyperlinks the non-public and felony conflicts within the story.

Vital Evaluate

“Everyone Loves Jenifa” makes an attempt to mix comedy, drama, and social commentary into one sprawling narrative. At its coronary heart, the film follows Jenifa, our resilient and hilariously endearing protagonist, as she juggles neighborhood service, entrepreneurship, and even a brush with organised crime.

The storyline is undeniably dynamic, providing subplots that sort out home violence, ladies’s rights, and empowerment. Whereas the ambition is commendable, the execution doesn’t at all times hit the mark, leaving elements of the story scattered.

One of many movie’s best strengths lies in its social relevance. The highlight on home violence and the empowerment of ladies isn’t just well timed however deeply impactful. Jenifa’s basis, devoted to educating vocational abilities, is a touching component that speaks volumes in regards to the significance of giving again. The film boldly makes use of its platform to deal with societal points, delivering its message with humour and sincerity.

The star-studded solid is one other spotlight. From Stan Nze’s persona twist to Nancy Isime’s magnetic display screen presence and Bisola Aiyeola’s stellar charisma, the performances elevate the movie’s emotional weight. Nevertheless, not all the celebs are given their second to shine—Hilda Baci, Veekee James and Endurance Ozokwor, for instance, really feel like afterthoughts, their potential contributions barely explored.

Jenifa’s comedic persona is undoubtedly the glue that holds the movie collectively. Her quirks and fast wit inject much-needed levity into what might have been a very heavy story. But, this energy generally turns into a double-edged sword. There are moments when the humour overshadows the gravity of essential points, creating an uneven tonal expertise. One minute, the viewers is laughing; the following, they’re grappling with darkish themes that don’t at all times land as successfully as they need to.

The movie’s flaws lie primarily in its ambition. There’s merely an excessive amount of happening. Between Toyosi’s surprising drug-dealing subplot, Lobster’s silent villainy, Jenifas aspirations and Sheriff’s countless chase, the story struggles to remain cohesive. A few of these threads really feel rushed, unresolved, or pointless. The antagonists, Lobster and Bebe, are notably underwhelming—extra caricatures than characters, with no depth to their motivations. Handy plot twists additional detract from the expertise. Adaku’s dramatic escape and the peerlessly timed police raid in Ghana are shortcuts reasonably than fastidiously thought-out resolutions. These moments pull the viewers out of the story, reminding us that the stakes aren’t as excessive as they appear.

Verdict

“Everyone Loves Jenifa” is a daring and entertaining movie that shines brightest when it champions social causes and makes us snigger. Its flaws, from a crowded plot to underdeveloped antagonists, can’t be ignored, however neither can its coronary heart and ambition.

This might have been an distinctive movie with a tighter script, extra refined character improvement, and a steadier stability between humour and drama. However because it stands, it’s an pleasing experience, likewise a household look ahead to this merriment season.

‘Everyone Loves Jenifa’ is rated 7/10.