Title: KISS & TELL (1 & 2) 

Starring: Monalisa Chinda, Desmond Elliott, Joseph Benjamin, Uche Jombo, Nse Ikpe-Etim

Synopsis:  

Two business partners put their controlling interest in the company on the line when they bet if one of them could bed a particular woman within ten days.  

Review:

Bernard and Iyke (Desmond Elliott and Joseph Benjamin) are business partners in a public relations firm. Although they have a great rapport they tend to step on each other’s toes in business and personal matters.

After yet another disagreement, Bernard challenged Iyke to get Delphine (Monalisa Chinda) into bed within ten days. The terms were if Iyke loses the deal, he must give Bernard five percent of his shares of the company, which would make Bernard the controlling partner.

Delphine, the subject of the deal, is a divorced attorney and very attractive. She’s the “tell it like it is” type and Iyke was about to receive a handful. He initially met her at a bar when she was giving a suitor the cold shoulder and he had an inkling then that she would be a challenge. In an effort to win the bet, Iyke asked his assistant to research Delphine to find out all there was to know about her.

Meanwhile, Bernard played to win and squealed to Delphine’s friend that Iyke was only out for a hit and run. Of course this tidbit got back to Delphine and she was ready for the game. With the cards stacked against him, Iyke had to pull out all the stops to win Delphine…and the bet.

Let’s Talk.  This movie is a romantic comedy. I came away from this movie with a feeling of satisfaction which, translates the movie was good. Basically Iyke was out to get the girl so he can have controlling interest in the company but since Bernard leaked his intentions, Delphine’s girlfriends set out to make sure Iyke never scored.

In addition to the friendly fire between Bernard and Iyke “Kiss and Tell” depicts social behavior between the sexes. It can be challenging and fun at the same time.

The bar scene was on point and accurately depicted a club setting. In the scene where Iyle and Delphine initially met, Iyke was seated at the bar when Delphine appeared to order a drink.  He noticed her but another guy went in for the kill. Delphine wasn’t interested in the guy and was quite blunt about it. Iyke overheard their conversation and called Delphine out for rejecting the guy. He explained that people frequent bars to socialize and women like her make it difficult.

Although Iyke’s feelings are true and Delphine was rude, the flip side is that women are constantly subjected to hits from the wrong guy. Why is it that the least interesting guy always has the most balls? (Pun unintended.)

Here’s the thing, had Delphine allowed the guy to buy her a drink then she may have felt obligated to socialize with him and while they chatted, other men wouldn’t have approached her because she appeared to be “occupied.” Should she have allowed the wrong guy to take up her time and block others who may have been potential mates?

In the background of the club we saw Delphine’s girl friends dancing it up by themselves. This cracked me up because we get our hair done, we wear our sexy dresses, and damn it we’re going to have a good time regardless of whether we’re asked to dance or not!! In addition to that, women normally outnumber men so sometimes we have no choice but to dance with each other.

In terms of the story, the dialogue was quick, witty and fresh. Also, the corporate dynamic was well interwoven into the romantic aspect of the drama. Iyke’s challenge was to get Delphine to trust him and the chase was on until he got caught. Brilliant!

As for direction and performances, the characters were successfully translated onto the screen. The flawed relationship between Iyke and Bernard was well played and humorous. Monalisa Chinda played the love interest and she was perfect for the part. 

“Kiss & Tell” is a lighthearted movie that cleverly included the courtship dance in a romantic comedy. Relationships between men and women is a topic that will be discussed until the end of time and this one just put a humorous spin on it. Mwuaah. RECOMMEND 

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