Starring: Mercy Johnson, Jim Iyke, Bayray McNwizu

Synopsis: 

A career woman living in a culture where marriage is expected accepts her father’s help in finding a mate. 

Review:

Bisola (Mercy Johnson) was caught up in work. She was perfectly content with being single until her sister got engaged. This was when her mother pressured her to find a husband too. Her father offered to hook her up with ten dates, who were the sons of his colleagues, but Bisola was reluctant. After some consideration she accepted her father’s offer and attended a few blind dates.  

The first six dates were disappointing but as Bisola waited at a bar for her seventh date, she met Jason (Jim Iyke), a patron sitting nearby. The two struck up a conversation and there seemed to be a mutual attraction. But who was Jason? Could he be the one? That’s what Bisola had to find out. 

Let’s Talk. This is a humorous portrait of dating and we were cordially invited to ride along side the lead character as she conducted interviews for a place in her life. She made it clear that a woman isn’t defined by her marital status but at the same time she did desire a life partner.  

Bisola’s parents kept the pressure on but the thing about pressure is that some work well through it while others don’t. For those that don’t, they’re apt to make mistakes – like marrying the wrong person due to cultural influences. But Bisola was a modern day woman who took the pressure in stride while searching for a man.   

The dates were like playing the lottery – a numbers game! If you keep playing you eventually win but in Bisola’s case she would win her soulmate. It was cute to see her father so involved in her life and he correlated her dates to a game of chess. Every time she met a doozie he moved a pawn off the board.

Speaking of doozies, Bisola’s failed dates were the most awful scenes. The men were just too deficient and cringeworthy. It was clearly an attempt at humor but not all of it worked. Actually, we didn’t need to see so many dates; it made the movie longer than necessary.

The subplot focused on domestic violence as Mabel (Bayray McNwizu) was being secretly abused by her boyfriend. She still wanted to marry him but the writers made sure this decision was completely unacceptable. Kudos. 

In comparison, Seven & a Half Dates was reminiscent of “When Love Happens” which is another movie about the search for Mr. Right. Both exhibited the grueling process of dating where the goal to find love was stronger than the will to give up. 

As for the actors, Mercy Johnson is super duper talented and the number one reason I watched this movie. She’s been around for years and I never tire of watching her. Jim Iyke co-starred and he’s a well seasoned actor as well.

So in addition to a little dating etiquette this movie presented a light spirited story about the quest for love – a global pursuit we can all relate to. RECOMMEND