It was my younger sister who first recommended this movie to me last week, and while I was sceptical about it, I saw on someone's status two days ago how the movie was hyped with nice reviews. I decided to check the movie out to see what's in it. Did I like it? Yes, I love it! Was it worth the hype? At least, to my best review, it gave it away. Such a wonderful movie with lots to take from it.
"Love in Every Word" is a masterclass movie. One that speaks of intentional love, self-respect, confidence and cultural pride. The movie focuses more on two people - Odogwu, who acts with confidence and respect, and Chioma, who showcases strength through grace and self-awareness. Sincerely, if you watch this movie and don't take lessons from it, we need to know what's wrong. Lol. This movie is a masterpiece!
Let's start with Odogwu, starring Uzor Arukwe. The kind of man that makes you rethink if there could be such a good guy out there. He wasn't just rich - he was firm, intentional, a man of his word and one who was rooted in his identity. From the moment he met Chioma, he's made his stance clear - he wants to marry her. He didn't beat around the bush on the first day - he goes straight to the point. He isn't the kind of man who would want to play a girl, no, he meant every word.
Imagine buying a whole building in the city of Lagos just to collect a lady's number? That was Odogwu. I love his simplicity. No hidden motives. The best part that I love was when Chioma said she wasn't interested, he stepped back without a fuss. He didn't beg, no emotional blackmail. He told himself, "I won't beat a drum that doesn't produce sound," and he lived to it.
Then, there is Chioma, starring Bamike 'Bam Bam' Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, a lady who is content. She is the kind of woman that would make you believe there are still good ones out there. It was clear she didn't want Odogwu's money, even when he said he was wealthy. She was used to providing for guys in her past relationships, so she was never the type to be lured by someone's wealth.
She didn't fall for Odogwu just because he was stickingly wealthy, even when he was buying her gifts, she wasn't quick to accept. She wasn't trying to play hard to get, no...she was only being careful in making sure her decision to accept his love wasn't influenced by material things. The level of her self-awareness was topnotch. I love that.
Chioma was ambitious and focused on her goals, and not a billionaire offering to buy her the world could make her forget that. Even when she is angry, she remains soft-spoken, graceful yet firm. The best part I like about her is how she wasn't too loud or aggressive to prove her point.
There is this common stereotype about the Igbo men - being misogynistic. No, Odogwu corrected it. He was in support of Chioma chasing after her career and ambitions, he wasn't against it. He wanted her to win, not just as his woman but as a person.
One thing that impressed me in the movie is that Odogwu didn't change his accent to impress, even when Chioma's reason not to date him was because of the way he speaks in an Igbo accent. Some guys, because they want to date a girl, would change their accent and start speaking like a Londoner. No, it wasn't in the case of Odogwu. He maintained who he was - his confidence.
Okay, let's talk about the money part. Some people think because a guy spends money on a girl, he is a simp - Odogwu was smart. Yes, he lavishly spent on Chioma but he wasn't foolish. He didn't throw his money on random women, he simply spent it on a woman he had carefully chosen. Even while he was generous, he remained himself. Though he was madly in love, he wasn't mad.
One lesson I took was that Chioma never pressured Odogwu for money. Unlike some girls who would use the opportunity of his wealth and start asking for money, even for unnecessary things. When a man chooses to love you without feeling obligated, he will do everything for you. The moment you start demanding, you have lost your self-respect and take away the joy of giving from such a man. Let a man love you first, and he will move mountains for you.
Another lesson here is to have friends that will fight for you. When Chioma was almost making a wrong decision, her friends were there to encourage her. One of them, who was a lawyer, helped get her money back from Chioma's ex-boyfriend even when she didn't fight it. It was the money she used to regain her perfume business. Have friends that will be there for you. I mean authentic ones. When Chioma was losing Odogwu, they went to him to explain a lot of secrets behind her actions and everything got sorted out.
Like, how would Chioma feel if she had lost Odogwu just like that? Nah, she won't forgive herself.
This movie got me smiling from start to finish. It was more than just entertainment - it was a lesson in love, self-respect and cultural pride. I rate this movie 9/10 because it was worth my time. I enjoyed it. Made me sit tight and have so much fun, and, yes, with lots of laughs.
All images are screenshots from YouTube
