Starring: Bolanle Ninalowo, Mary Remmy Njoku, Desmond Elliott, Alexx Ekubo, Abiola Williams

Synopsis:
An apparently happy couple expecting their first child throws a baby shower but their guests arrive with secrets, lies, and scandals.

Review:
Funmi and Jerry (Mary Remmy & Bolanle Ninalowo) were expecting their first child and numerous guests at their baby shower. The event was intended to double as a celebration of new life and to reconnect family and friends.

As the party ensued, secrets rocked the house. Three sisters learned they were involved with the same man, an extramarital affair produced a child, and a wife slept with her husband’s friend.

Let’s Talk. This is a movie with interconnected, multiple, storylines. It’s reminiscent of Pascal Amanfo’s “Family Album” where a celebration churned up immoral behavior among its guests. Various storylines can be overwhelming but this one was adequately done.

Each guest had some sort of secret and the uninvited appeared to throw more dirt into the mix. The characters were closely connected so that conflicts efficiently intermingled and didn’t go astray.

The story is by Beth Rogers and kudos to her for establishing practical fluidity to the drama. However, there were some irksome tidbits…

1) Genny Uzoma’s character was severely overdressed in some type of shimmering garment. And those outrageous earrings!! OMG. Where was the wardrobe department? Clearly, she didn’t get the memo that it was a barbecue.  You know, the event where people wear shorts and tank tops?

2) It seemed that most of the guests arrived without gifts. That’s the purpose of a baby shower! Who was in charge of props? And lastly,

3) Funmi’s pregnancy looked far from real.  Sigh…

Beyond a few blemishes, the audience was left with valid topics of discussion. For instance, one couple had issues with infidelity. The wife had an ongoing affair with her husbands’ best friend while her husband had a one nighter that resulted in a pregnancy. It makes one wonder why people bother to get married. Although both were wrong, which situation was worse? A night of unprotected sex or the fling with the friend?

Another interesting topic was in regard to the younger woman versus the older woman. Reversing the situation, should a woman leave her man because he aged, lost his hair, and gained a potbelly? It seems that women are more loyal in this regard.

What about the topic of marriage? Should one stay in holy matrimony due to the amount of time invested in the relationship? Do we turn ten years of unhappiness into twenty? This movie offered plenty to talk about at the water cooler.

Casting was balanced with new faces and some of Nollywood’s popular actors but Abiola Williams was most memorable with her humor and seasoned confidence.

Overall, “Baby Shower” relied on typical relationship issues to stir the pot, and it worked, as long as you weren’t expecting anything different or profound. RECOMMEND