REVIEW: ‘Love In Every Word’ is a feel-good romance film with room for improvement

‘Love In Every Word’, a romantic movie produced by Omoni Oboli, premiered on YouTube on March 8.  

Over the past week, the film has sparked a lot of conversations across social media, so I decided to check it out for myself.

After watching, I’d say it’s a lighthearted, feel-good movie with plenty of cheesy moments. There was definitely room for improvement.

SYNOPSIS 

‘Love In Every Word’ follows the story of Chioma who navigates a new chapter after ending a relationship, faces pressure at work, and unexpectedly encounters a man who sparks a new possibility for love, all while attending a cousin’s introduction ceremony in Anambra.

STRONG POINTS OF THE FILM 

One of the film’s strongest points is how it tackles stereotypes, particularly the notion that Igbo men are inherently misogynistic or unwilling to marry independent, career-driven women. ‘Love In Every Word’ challenges this perception in a clear and refreshing way, offering a new perspective that feels both intentional and thought-provoking. Beyond that, the film also weaves in themes of love, friendship, and childhood trauma, self-awareness, adding depth to the story and leaving a lasting impression.

The performances in the film were quite impressive. This was my first time seeing BamBam in a movie, and I’d say she did a solid job portraying a woman torn between love and uncertainty. Uzor Arukwe, on the other hand, fully embodied his role as Odogwu, from his confident demeanour to his attire and accent. While his accent felt inconsistent at times, he still delivered a commendable performance. The chemistry between him and BamBam added to the film’s authenticity, especially in the way they looked at each other. The supporting cast also held their own, with standout performances from Iffy and Chioma’s mother, making the story feel even more believable.

THE WEAK POINTS OF THE FILM 

The biggest flaw in the film is its plot. To be fair, the storyline is relatable and unfolds straightforwardly—until the plot twist is introduced. While the reason for the character’s confusion is valid and understandable, its execution felt abrupt, almost like an afterthought. It would have been more organic and impactful if hints had been dropped earlier—maybe through a conversation with her friends, her mom, or even a flashback. Instead, it was suddenly thrown in, making it feel like the twist was inserted just to create last-minute drama rather than being an integral part of the story.

The cinematography is another flaw of the film. I get that it’s a YouTube movie with a limited budget, but the overall quality could have been better. In some wide shots, the subjects appeared blurry until the camera zoomed in, which was distracting. The lighting and colour grading also had inconsistencies. There was a particular scene with BamBam and Davies where the colour looked off—it had a dull, almost greyish tone that made it feel like a flashback when it wasn’t. A more refined visual approach would have elevated the viewing experience.

Some inconsistencies in the narration could have been avoided with more attention to detail. In the first scene where Chioma and Odogwu meet, he mentions her third name as “Gloria” which she doesn’t correct but, in later scenes, it suddenly changes to “Gift”. Also, the event she attended in Anambra wasn’t clearly defined. Was it an introduction or a traditional wedding? Both terms were used interchangeably, even though they don’t mean the same thing. These may seem like minor details, but they contribute to the overall storytelling and could have been handled better.

The movie also lacked character development. Aside from Odogwu being a wealthy man looking for a wife, there was little else known about him, not even what he does for a living. He remained a flat, one-dimensional character throughout. Most of the characters and the storyline felt linear, without much depth or growth. It seemed like the film was solely focused on delivering a feel-good love story.

FINAL VERDICT 

‘Love In Every Word’ gets a 6/10.