Starring: Chioma Akpotha, Chet Anekwe, Seun Akindele

Synopsis:  

A pastor’s devotion to the church leads his wife into temptation when she feels neglected in the marriage.  

Review:

Reuben (Seun Akindele), head pastor at the church, took his job seriously.  Phone calls from members, church functions, and counseling all took precedence over his marriage to Kemi (Chioma Akpotha). Kemi constantly voiced her complaints but Reuben always placed her needs on backburner.

So Kemi found a new job after a three-year search and she couldn’t even celebrate the news with her husband because he was too caught up watching a sermon on television. The position turned out to be great for her as she was quick to realize the needs of the company and offered valid suggestions.

As Kemi worked closely with her boss and traveled on business trips, the two developed an attraction. Taking the next step in their relationship was tempting but Kemi reminded her boss that she was a married woman.

Meanwhile, politics brewed at the church as some members attended for financial benefits while others sought position. Gloria (Sylvya Oluchy) was annoyed that her husband wasn’t the head pastor. If he were in charge it would mean that she would receive special attention as first lady of the church instead of Kemi. 

Gloria happened to be in the right place at the right time when she received pictures of Kemi with her boss that implied they were having an affair. Gloria used the photos and other information to start a scandal with the intent of removing Reuben as head pastor.

The plan backfired when her husband remained loyal to Reuben and refused to be his successor. Ultimately, Reuben’s dismissal from the church served as a blessing in disguise because it forced him to finally take a good look at his wife.

Let’s Talk. This movie is drama and romance peppered with spirituality. Reuben and Kemi were married but practically lived separate lives. He was all about the church and took Kemi for granted but her new job certainly filled the void.

Ebube (Chet Anekwe) was Kemi’s new boss and he appreciated her business savvy and genuinely liked her. Flowers, chocolate, and dinners renewed her spirit as Ebube made her feel like a woman again. It was wrong for Ebube to pursue a married woman but he saw an opening when Reuben was a no-show at an event where Kemi was being honored. She had no one to share the moment with and Ebube gladly filled in.

There’s a scene where Kemi and Ebube’s daughter met for the first time. Kemi and Ebube arrived in a car and naturally Kemi sat in the front seat. When Adaora (Nicole Ndigwe) realized she would have to sit in the back she rudely voiced her displeasure. It was an awkward moment and Ebube was embarrassed by his daughter’s behavior. This was a telltale sign that people don’t always say what they mean. Adaora wasn’t concerned about being in the backseat of her father’s car; she feared being in the backseat of his life. Her father’s new relationship provoked insecurity but Kemi and Adaora later developed a special bond. The scenes that displayed them getting along were adorable. 

Another subplot in the story dealt with Ebube’s spiteful wife who was in constant need of money to support her drug habit. She perceived Kemi as Ebube’s “new girlfriend” and she slyly took pictures of them as they dined out. She then presented the photos to the church hoping they would buy her silence and avoid a disgrace to the church. In terms of comments, I thought it was too convenient that Ebube’s ex was able to connect Kemi to Reuben and the church.

When push came to shove Reuben was shocked by the pictures and was ready to end the marriage. Although Kemi didn’t have a physical affair she did have one in spirit. In the end, the very church that Reuben lived for voted him out as head pastor.

The movie had some thought provoking dynamics. For example, various religions interpret the bible differently yet it was interesting to hear those of the same denomination interpret the scriptures in a way that suited their own purposes. 

Although people go to church to worship God, the movie demonstrates that people don’t drop politics, competition, and selfishness at the door. The truth of the matter is that people go to church to socialize, sell products, gossip, find a husband, and oh yeah…listen to the sermon. 

In terms of the plot, I’m sure many married women would hope that the “other woman” is actually the church. From that aspect, the problems between Kemi and Reuben wasn’t the worst but it sure made a good story.

As for the characters, I believed Reuben and Kemi as a married couple but I think the more interesting couple was Thomas and Gloria. Thomas (Chukwudi Leonard-Oji) was such a noble Christian and a loyal friend to Reuben yet he was married to such a schemer. How is that possible? Lol. Gloria was willing to sell her soul to be first lady. Talk about “opposites attract!” Surely there were other aspects of their relationship that made them compatible but they were definitely the most contrasting characters of the movie.

Performances? Seun Akindele rocked it out.  He must have drunk some “pastorized” juice because he totally transformed into the character. Chioma Akpotha was responsible for most of the emotional connection in the movie. She successfully displayed the various sides of the character – the integrity, the passion, and the anger as she struggled with the status of being a pastor’s wife.

In terms of technicalities, it’s evident that there was some effort made with the sound. The dialogue was crisp and clear. Halleluiah! Our complaints about inadequate sound haven’t fallen upon deaf ears. There were also some nice music choices made in the film.

This movie was a blessing. It was substantial because God’s word drove it and that’s what made it interesting. It wasn’t overly preachy but it got its points across. I enjoyed this movie. It was competently done and reminds us to always forgive. RECOMMEND

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