Festive chaos meets romance in Jade Osiberu’s Christmas in Lagos

Class: Nollywood

Directed by: Jade Osiberu

Style: Drama, Romance

Forged: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Teniola Aladese, Shaffy Bello, Wale Ojo, Ladipoe, Shalom Obiago

Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Operating time: 2 hours

Launched date: 20 December

In Lagos, “Detty December” is greater than only a time for Christmas—it’s a chaotic, energetic frenzy the place something can occur. Town is alive, filled with events, drama, and, in fact, top-notch romance.

What Christmas appears like faucets into this high-energy vibe, exhibiting how love might be thrilling and messy, particularly throughout the vacation season.

Filmmaker Jade Osiberu offers us a enjoyable and heartfelt experience by the ups and downs of relationships, the place everybody’s enjoying the love recreation, however not everybody is aware of the principles.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Lagos, the movie captures the essence of that point of yr when feelings run wild, and discovering love would possibly simply be as unpredictable because the season itself. “Christmas in Lagos” additionally mirrors the festive chaos of the vacation season in Lagos. The movie follows the lives of a number of characters as they navigate love, heartbreak, and self-discovery amidst the whirlwind of vacation celebrations.

Plot

On the coronary heart of the story is Fiyin (Teniola Aladese), a candy, introspective younger lady who has secretly been in love along with her greatest buddy, Elozonam (Shalom C. Obiago), for years. They’ve shared numerous reminiscences, and Fiyin believes their bond is exclusive. However her world is shattered when Elo declares he’s getting engaged to Yagazie, his girlfriend of solely eight months. Fiyin is left to grapple along with her feelings whereas deciding whether or not to combat for Elo or transfer on. Her unstated emotions have an effect on her relationships with these round her, and what was purported to be a joyful Christmas season turns into a painful reflection. Fiyin’s journey is one which many can relate to, making her a personality that resonates with the viewers.

In the meantime, Fiyin’s cousin Ivie (Rayxia Ojo) returns from London for a carefree vacation in Lagos, decided to get pleasure from all the pieces town provides. After a failed romance, Ivie is not concerned about love and plans to spend her time partying and avoiding severe relationships. However when she meets Ajani (Ladipoe), a captivating guitarist with large desires and a supply job to match, Ivie’s resolve begins to crack. Regardless of their plain chemistry, she hesitates to let herself fall for him as a result of their background and social standing variations. Ajani’s authenticity and ambition problem Ivie’s view of affection, and she or he’s compelled to confront her fears about vulnerability and danger.

Amidst all this, Fiyin’s mom, Gbemi (Shaffy Bello), is caught in her romantic dilemma. Widowed for years, Gbemi is immediately confronted with a alternative between two very completely different males: Zachariah Dozie (Richard Mofe-Damijo), her charming and rich ex-lover, and Toye (Wale Ojo), her regular and reliable boyfriend who has all the time been there for her. As Christmas approaches, Gbemi is compelled to replicate on what she actually needs and what love means to her at this stage of her life. She is caught between embracing the acquainted, taking an opportunity on the previous, and rekindling an previous flame. This storyline superbly explores the complexities of affection in numerous life phases, from the youthful romance of Fiyin to the mature selections of Gbemi.

Amidst the advanced feelings of the principle characters, the story additionally brings lighthearted humour with Chisom, Ajani’s quirky greatest buddy, and Ladi, Gbemi’s no-nonsense housemaid. Their rising relationship brings much-needed comedian aid whereas additionally concerning points of sophistication and societal expectations in a metropolis the place all the pieces is feasible.

Because the movie progresses, Lagos itself turns into a personality. Town’s festive chaos—crowded streets, dazzling lights, and vibrant events—displays the characters’ emotional journeys. From the bustling markets to the high-end rooftop bars, Lagos is the proper backdrop for private development, heartbreak, and new beginnings.

Character development is a central theme within the movie; as Fiyin learns the significance of self-love and emotional independence, Ivie discovers that love doesn’t have to suit neatly right into a field, and Gbemi makes a alternative that honours her coronary heart. This exhibits that love is a journey that doesn’t cease at any explicit age.

Character Evaluation

Fiyin (Teniola Aladese)

The movie’s star is Teniola, the heartbroken romantic and central protagonist. Fiyin is a younger lady navigating unrequited love. Her character captures the vulnerability of somebody torn between hope and the painful actuality of loving a greatest buddy who doesn’t really feel the identical. Fiyin’s perception that Elo may very well be her real love displays a mixture of emotional naivety and romantic optimism, making her relatable to viewers who’ve skilled comparable heartache. Regardless of her heartbreak, Fiyin’s resilience shines, particularly when she begins to prioritise private development over chasing unattainable love. Teniola delivers a stellar efficiency, embodying Fiyin’s innocence, longing, and eventual self-discovery.

Elozonam (Shalom C. Obiago)

Shalom stars because the oblivious greatest buddy caught in a love triangle. Elozonam, or Elo, is the thing of Fiyin’s affection however stays clueless about her emotions. He introduces a significant plot twist by revealing his engagement to Yagazie, which creates rigidity and drives a lot of Fiyin’s inner battle. Elo is a well-meaning character however lacks emotional depth, making him much less compelling as a love curiosity. Shalom C. Obiago portrays him with a subtlety that some would possibly interpret as indifference, including to the complexity of his relationships with Fiyin and Yagazie. His emotional journey is one which many can empathise with, making him a personality that resonates with the viewers.

Gbemi (Shaffy Bello)

Shaffy is the poised but conflicted widow in a love triangle. Gbemi, Fiyin’s mom, represents the older era’s quest for love and second possibilities. Her two suitors—Zach, a flashy billionaire, and Toye, a reliable admirer—symbolise the strain between rekindling previous passions and embracing new, steady love. Gbemi’s character is wealthy with layers, from her protecting instincts as a mom to her vulnerability as a girl searching for happiness.

Zachariah “Zach” Dozie (Richard Mofe-Damijo)

Zach is a captivating however flawed billionaire. He’s a suave, rich man who represents the attract of nostalgia and excessive society. Regardless of his historical past of failed marriages, his persistent makes an attempt to win Gbemi again create rigidity and present his incapacity to know her hesitations. RMD performs Zach with charisma and a touch of vanity, making him an intriguing however imperfect character. His dynamic with Gbemi is electrical, however his lack of vulnerability in the end positions him because the much less beneficial suitor.

Toye (Wale Ojo)

The sort-hearted and grounded suitor. Toye is the antithesis of Zach—a person who wears his coronary heart on his sleeve and provides Gbemi the soundness and respect she deserves. His moments with Gbemi are tender and heartfelt, exhibiting his endurance and real affection. Wale Ojo’s portrayal offers Toye a heat, relatable high quality, making him the viewers’s favorite alternative for Gbemi. His scenes with Shaffy Bello are among the many movie’s most emotionally resonant.

Ivie (Rayxia Ojo)

She is the adventurous cousin and IJGB (“I Simply Obtained Again”). Ivie provides a youthful, cosmopolitan aptitude to the story. Freshly returned from London, she initially appears bored with love however unexpectedly falls for Ajani, an area guitarist. Ivie’s character explores themes of cultural variations and sophistication divides, although her storyline lacks vital battle.

Ajani (Ladipoe)

He’s a gifted guitarist and romantic lead. Ajani is a supply man by day and a guitarist by evening, representing the hardworking, dream-chasing Lagos youth. His relationship with Ivie highlights themes of ambition and love throughout social lessons. Whereas his storyline has potential, it feels underdeveloped, with minimal rigidity or stakes. Although honest, Ladipoe’s portrayal lacks the emotional depth to thoroughly promote Ajani’s romance with Ivie.

Yagazie (Angel Anosike)

She is Elo’s fiancée and the sudden rival. Yagazie catalyses Fiyin’s heartbreak. Although she doesn’t get a lot display time, her engagement to Elo provides complexity to the love triangle. Her character is assured and safe, which contrasts with Fiyin’s vulnerability. Angel Anosike brings an understated presence to the position, making Yagazie a dignified and likeable character regardless of being at odds with the protagonist’s needs.

Essential overview

Christmas in Lagos exhibits the artwork of discovering love in sudden locations and studying to embrace change. The movie is a heat, feel-good celebration of relationships’ imperfect, messy magnificence, set in opposition to essentially the most magical time of the yr in one of many world’s most dynamic cities.

The music and visuals are good, however the story feels disconnected. Fiyin, performed by Teniola Aladese, thinks her greatest buddy Elo will suggest, regardless that they’ve by no means been romantic. Elo’s engagement with Yagazie creates rigidity, however their chemistry is weak. Fiyin’s mom, Gbemi, is caught in a love triangle between billionaire Zachariah Dozie and her accomplice, Toye. Shaffy Bello performs Gbemi effectively, exhibiting her inner battle, however a few of Toye’s decisions don’t appear to suit. Fiyin’s cousin, Ivie, falls for Ajani, a supply man and guitarist. Their romance feels predictable, and Ajani doesn’t present a lot emotion or reference to Ivie.

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The film tries to cowl many themes, which weakens its emotional affect. Some matters, like grief throughout the holidays, really feel compelled and underdeveloped. Whereas there are some touching moments, the dialogue and character arcs aren’t sturdy sufficient to hold the story. The movie doesn’t absolutely seize Lagos’ festive spirit past events and occasions.

Regardless of these points, the movie’s manufacturing, costumes, and music shines. The soundtrack units the “Detty December” temper effectively, and the cinematography superbly captures the characters’ feelings and town. Some intimate moments, like Ivie and Ajani’s scenes, stand out for his or her visible storytelling, although the plot feels weak.

The movie options sturdy performances from older actors, particularly Shaffy Bello, whose portrayal of Gbemi provides emotional depth. Nevertheless, the youthful actors wrestle to match her, with their chemistry and supply affecting the believability of their relationships. “Christmas in Lagos” presents a uncooked, messy view of Lagos throughout the vacation season. The romance, glamour, music, and visuals provide moments of curiosity.

I price ‘Christmas in Lagos’ film 6.5/10.