By Pamela Agboga
It is a glamorous, witty, suspense filled drama about five couples with relationship issues who spend the weekend in the plush, exotic hotel. The film exposes the drama, dysfunction, intrigues, lies and ultimately love, that abounds in their lives. – Movie blurb.
Le Meridian Hotel at Akwa Ibom was the location for this wonderful movie reputed to have cost 60 million naira to make. You’ll learn about human traffic, get to see a lot of lip action, and a bit of clichéd acting (e.g. the ‘romancing the glass’ scene with Genevieve and Uti. Like, do people really do that?)
The hotel itself makes one wish for a holiday there. And maybe to run into nosey staff like Emem (Ini Edo) and obnoxious guests like Andre Dike (Alex Ekubo). The golf course could woo a sworn non-golfer; all that green grass and rolling hills.
It has a ‘Maid in Manhattan’ feel, but don’t write it off, because under all the lovey-dovey stuff is action and a healthy dose of espionage moves. The sound track was also on point. Nothing to sniff about here: a near perfect blend of instrumentals, R&B, pop and rock.
Directed by Desmond Elliot, it’s a movie all romantics will love, like the romance novel that kept a certain cleaning staff up all night and late for work due to ‘human traffic’ in the lobby. I mentally cringed when characters spoke, anticipating lousy lines, but I was gladly disappointed. Score one for Nollywood!
But… Yes, there’s a ‘but.’ I had not expected Ramsey Noah’s character at the wedding reception, much less giving the toast. I had expected the groom’s golfing partner (Bobby Obodo) to give the toast. I guess the director was just trying to tie loose ends neatly, but did he succeed? Genevieve had a right to be there, as the one who brought the couple together, but… Maybe someone can help explain that scene better, I’m all ears.
Cast: Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Noah, Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Uti Nwachukwu, Bryan Okwara, Bobby Obodo, Uru Eke, Beverly Naya, Imeh Bishop Umoh and Alex EkuboRunning time: 1 hr 45 mins Age Rating: 15
