‘Lagos Love Story‘, the rom-com produced by Naz Onuzo, premiered on Netflix on April 11.
From the title alone, I already sensed that it would revolve around people falling in love, and that’s exactly what it delivered. While I’d like to describe it as a feel-good movie, it falls short of standing out. With more attention paid to the execution of the storyline, it could have risen above the typical, predictable romance we’ve seen too many times.
SYNOPSIS
When she’s hired to plan a huge festival in Lagos, Promise unexpectedly finds herself falling for the brash Afrobeats star at the center of it all.
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THE STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM
The major highlight of ‘Lagos Love Story’ for me was definitely the costume design. Every outfit felt intentional and added a layer of personality to the characters. King Kator’s streetwear, combined with his dreadlocks, strongly reinforced his image as a music star. Favour’s bold, vibrant outfits captured her “sassy fashion designer” persona and made her scenes visually striking. Adanna and Fadekemi’s looks were just as polished, matching the elegance and sophistication their characters portrayed. Overall, the costumes weren’t just stylish, they were thoughtfully curated, with no look feeling out of place. That level of attention to detail was really commendable.
The film’s setting is commendable, particularly during the concert scenes. A lot of effort clearly went into making those moments feel real, from the crowd shouting and singing along with King Kator to the overall setting of the stage. The “trenches” setting for the music video, the birthday party, and the local restaurant scenes also felt authentic. These details added a layer of realism to the story and helped ground the film in a familiar, relatable Lagos atmosphere.
The performances in Lagos Love Story were another highlight. Mike Folarin fully owned his role as King Kator; his mannerisms, presence, and delivery made him completely believable as an artiste. He truly embodied the character and gave a standout performance. Jemima Osunde and Susan Pwajok also shared great chemistry as sisters, each bringing their roles to life with ease and authenticity. Honestly, no one felt out of place; every actor delivered a performance that suited their character, which is quite commendable.
Also, the cinematography and soundtrack are commendable. The visuals are stunning, with well-executed camera angles that enhance the storytelling. It’s also impressive that Kator’s own songs were recorded and featured as part of the soundtrack. The choice of additional tracks complemented the scenes perfectly, adding to the overall atmosphere and emotional tone of the film.
THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM
The major flaw of ‘Lagos Love Story’ lies in its storyline. From the overly dramatic “Bollywood-style” fall in the beginning, it was easy to predict where the plot was headed. There were no real twists, just a reliance on familiar romantic tropes. It was too predictable.
Also, several subplots had the potential to set the film apart from typical love stories, but they were underdeveloped. For example, the storyline around King Group’s contract with Kator could have explored the behind-the-scenes struggles that artistes face, but it was left vague, with no real depth or payoff. Characters like Fadekemi and Achike were also underdefined; were they music promoters, managers, or label owners? What exactly would have been the risk for Kator if he had left the contract? The film never made it clear.
The subplot about Promise’s tax debt could have added emotional weight to her desperation for money, but it was brushed over. A tax debt of N20 million is significant. What was it for? How did it accumulate? The film left those questions unanswered.
Even the friendship arc between Adanna and Favour, which had a strong start, was left unresolved. After the contract came into play, nothing was said about how Favour settled it. Did Favour sign it? Did it impact her career? These unresolved threads felt like missed opportunities that could have added substance to the story, making it more memorable.
Also, what exactly is the relationship between Fadekemi and Achike? Are they a couple or just colleagues?
FINAL THOUGHTS
‘Lagos Love Story’ gets a 6/10
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