Love Like This; Movie Review.

Hello everyone and welcome to the month of july!!! 

This is long overdue. I know I talk about consistency a lot and try to do just that but don't I actually get to it because well, life keeps doing her thing. Anyways, to get in your good graces today, I have decided to bring you this not so fresh but juicy gossip (in the form of a movie review) courtesy of the Ndani TV series 'Love Like This' directed by Adeola Osunkojo and written by Lani Aisida and Ifeanyi Barbara Chidi. This isn't usually what we do on ADW but who doesn't like a good switch up? Besides, I am ever excited and ready to venture into new paths for this blog! Paths that might better serve you. That being said, let's jump right in!

The TV series 'Love Like This' is a romantic drama series that follows the lives of young middle class Nigerians who find themselves on a quest to find love.

Now I know what you are going to say (like I always do). Seriously! Angel, love? Please no. 

Wait, hear me out! I am not a preacher of love myself but we cannot ultimately deny that it isn't an essential part of our lives that most of us are yet to figure out. Not that watching TV will automatically change that but it might give you pointers on what you want and don't want in your love life. 

This series buttresses the modern day romantic love and did so without doing too much.

Now, diving into the elements of the plot, I sincerely loved how it started. I am not really a fan of book/films starting from the very beginning so it was interesting that it began with the middle then beginning and eventually the end (the beginning and the end done simultaneously). The rising action (the section(s) of the story that leads towards its climax) happened with such lightness that I almost didn't know when I was sucked into the series, anxiously awaiting the climax (that point at which the highest level of interest or emotional response is achieved). Thankfully, that didn't disturb the overall plot. The point when things started crumbling down and the moments after were chef's kisses because it was slowly and steadily delivered and I would like to commend the actors for a good job with that!

If there is one thing I appreciate about Ndani TV and the varieties of the writers and directors under her belt, it is the dedication and attention they put into every series. Skinny Girls In Transit, Game On, Love Like This and others have the same theme going i.e finding love, making mistakes in love, keeping love, outside voices etc just like it is in real life but it's just delivered differently and intentionally so you're able to have fun watching the series, learn a thing or two and not feel like you have repeated a circle of un-originality we sometimes experience in Nollywood films. Am I making sense? I hope I am. Anyways, the dialogue was understandable and relatable, nothing complex or out of the ordinary. The song playlist, the hues of the camera, the mood, tone and the costumes all seem befitting for what it was trying to portray; warmth like love, neat and rich like money and sophistication (middle class style).

My only problem is with the actors. Although they did a good job bringing the characters and the story to life (because I would have stopped halfway if they didn't, walai. I don't like problem!), I feel like they were doing too much at times and at other times barely doing enough. Although, there were some of them who ate like Eva Ibiam who played Teni and Nancy Philip who played Nancy. Kamal is my worst character in the show. Asides the fact that he as a character was sleazy in my opinion, the actor didn't really give me the vigour of someone who came to rekindle love and fire but of someone who's intent was to destroy what Abiye (played by Chisom Agoawuike) had going with Nimicooks and stamp his own. Nimi (Nimicooks) and Abiye weren't that bad themselves. My favourite couple in the series and probably in the world (I hope they are dating irl 🥺) Maka (played by Gbemi Akindele) and Remi (played by Okey Jude) made me remember why I love love! As a pair they did an absolute beautiful job! I love the way Remi strengthened Maka and how crazy but interesting their love story is (truth be told their on screen appearance and that of Teni and Nimi was a big reason I stayed till the end). 

I really can't wait for the drama that unfolds in season 2 with Teni and Nimi (played by Nonso Bassey), Nimi and Tamara (played by Debby Felix), Teni and Abiye! Ah! Opor!

My opinion? It was a good watch. An 8/10 that I definitely recommend. It explained the dynamics and intricacies of romantic relationships i.e the good, the bad, the ugly. The red flags we often disregard because we're the only ones that know our partners so well, walking into an insecure "situationship" that keeps you reaffirming and revalidating, the puppy love that you're not so such of one day but would die for the next and more. Omo! You gas watch am yourself. That's all I will say to avoid spoiling, abeg.

If you have seen the show, do let me know what you think in the comments or on IG (the OGs know we started recommending their). If you haven't seen it, get on to it. If you have any shows you'd like me to write a review on, what are you waiting for? See you next week (I promise!)