REVIEW: ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ is a funny but flawed film

The highly anticipated film ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa,’ produced by  Funke Akindele, premiered in cinemas on December 13, generating excitement among fans of the Jenifa franchise.

Building on the success of the original film and the spin-off series ‘Jenifa’s Diary,’ this latest installment had all the ingredients to be a must-watch. While it delivers moments of entertainment and tackles relevant themes, its disconnected plot, underdeveloped plot twists, and slow pacing hold it back from being a truly memorable film.

SYNOPSIS

The story revolves around Jenifa, whose popularity fades when a shady new neighbor, Lobster, outshines her charity work. In Ghana, Jenifa and her friends face a deadly drug baron after a bag of drugs is mistakenly left in their rental.

THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM

Impressive performances: The cast delivers outstanding performances, fully embodying their characters and bringing depth to the story. It was especially refreshing to see the versatility of some actors, like Bisola Aiyeola, Cute Abiola, and Layi Wasabi. Wasabi, known primarily for his skits, was a pleasant surprise. Many might have expected him to be there solely for comic relief, but his role was serious, and he delivered it with such natural dialogue and conviction revealing a whole new side of him. Aiyeola also stood out with a performance that was unexpected and brilliant. None of the trailers hinted at her role, so it came as a surprise. She nailed it. The way she spoke, walked, and carried herself made her character completely believable and showcased her range as an actor. The rest of the cast, including Jackie Appiah, Chimezie Imo, and Stan Nze, also gave solid performances.

Relevant themes: The film tackles sensitive and socially relevant issues such as domestic violence, parents enabling abusive relationships for personal gain, drug peddling, love, organised crime, and empowerment. These are important topics that resonate with many and need to be explored. The themes were also approached with sincerity and care, ensuring the messages were clear and impactful without feeling forced. The way these issues were woven into the story made them relatable and thought-provoking.

Visual treat: The film is a visual treat, with its cinematography and costumes standing out as commendable highlights. The vibrancy of the locations was captured perfectly through well-chosen camera angles, bringing each scene to life. The costumes were also impressive, especially during the Eko Fest carnival. The colorful outfits added so much vibrancy and authenticity to the event, making it a truly memorable part of the film. It was beautifully executed and added to the overall appeal of the movie.

THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM

Disconnected plot: The story feels split into two distinct parts, with an abrupt shift from the Lobster storyline to the Ghana scenes. It felt like two separate movies stitched together. When the focus returned to the Lobster plot, I had almost forgotten about it entirely. The lack of a smooth connection between the two parts left some subplots feeling unresolved, unnecessary, or rushed, making the story less cohesive. The use of suspense in the film was commendable, however, the plot twists didn’t quite hit. For instance, how did Adaku escape? When she reappeared, I wasn’t sure if she had escaped or was released. Similarly, Bebe’s apprehension was rushed and lacked explanation. How exactly did the police track her down? While the suspense was handled well, the twists felt underdeveloped.

Slow pacing: The film’s pacing is slow, especially in the first half, where scenes feel unnecessarily dragged out. For example, the scene where Lateef Adedimeji disrupts Jenifa’s outreach felt out of place — why was it included? It didn’t seem to serve the story in any meaningful way. Adedimeji’s subplot, along with Angel’s, lacked depth and clarity. Angel’s backstory wasn’t said  — how did she become close to Lobster, and what happened to her afterward? These gaps left important character developments unexplained, making the subplots disconnected and incomplete.

Lack of accessibility: The film relies heavily on prior knowledge of the franchise, which may leave new viewers feeling lost. It would have been more effective if the film could cater to both newcomers and long-time fans.

FINAL VERDICT

‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ gets a 7/10