Movie Review – Why Love In Every Word Is Trending
Omoni Oboli’s movie, Love In Every Word, is trending as #1 among Nigerian 2025 Latest Full Movies on YouTube. Yours truly checked it out and clearly saw why.
The movie, uploaded to YouTube on March 7, has generated 8,886,929 views. It had passed 7m views when it was taken down, reportedly due to copyright issues over some drone clips used in the movie, but that setback which was quickly resolved has further stirred public interest in the movie.
Why do I think the movie is trending so hugely? It uses a tried and tested formula in its romantic storytelling. A self-confident (some will say, overconfident) and uber-wealthy male sets out to pursue a vulnerable female, pulling out all the stops. That formula has worked for centuries in romantic bestsellers and stage plays, as well as in filmmaking for as long as it has lasted.
It is also the fantasy of most young women – to meet a man who has scaled financial instability and who will come after them with single-mindedness. That fantasy is turning to desperation for some who struggle to be part of the lives of prominent men on any terms, hence the proliferation of side chicks and baby mamas.
But this movie does not tell the usual Nollywood Cinderella story – the penniless girl meets a prince or rich businessman who completely changes her life overnight. The vulnerability of the female lead in this case is not based on the emptiness of her wallet but on being disappointed by the men in her life.
Generally speaking, the picture is relatable on various fronts and thus resonates with viewers. For instance, besides the who no want better thing vibe created by the male lead, Obiora, also called Odogwu’s lavish attention and gifts to the lady he is wooing, Chioma, the mother’s concern for her successful daughter’s single state and Chioma’s insistence on her spec are part of the persistent back and forth we often see in families with marriageable daughters. The question is usually, “How long will you hold out for your spec while time is flying and eligible bachelors are equally flying off the shelves?”
Furthermore, the issue of choosing between a salaried job and self-employment which is a dilemma Chioma faced has been extensively debated by my students and I recently. It’s an issue which many Nigerians ponder over in the current ailing economy and their varied considerations are captured in my vox pop on the subject.
The movie also shows that even sophisticated, financially independent women are still little girls at heart who just want to be spoilt as seen by Chioma’s excitement over the gifts Odogwu showers her with and her friends’ spirited jubilation when he bought them diamonds. Contrast that with when Chioma, her patience exhausted, stripped and kicked out her dependent, serial-failing boyfriend.
Moreover, although women are often said to be indecisive, Chioma’s mixed signals to Odogwu which were getting out of hand were duly explained later as emanating from a childhood complex traceable to her father.
The controversy generated by bloggers over the stereotype of the wealthy, unrefined Igbo businessman which some have adjudged the film guilty of reinforcing in Odogwu’s character has also helped publicise the movie.
I was actually surprised to find that Odogwu was not doing a caricature of an Igbo accent in the movie. He was portrayed as educated, with a taste for the finer things in life, but spoke clearly and forcefully as most men born and bred in Igboland do. His high-testosterone voice did not sound offensive. On the contrary, it was bona fide and some may consider it sexy.
It is wrong to expect people to give up their accents to meet a certain idea of polish, except it impedes their communication and ability to be understood. I am glad the movie did not include a stupid twist of Odogwu attempting to change his accent to impress Chioma.
Some have also drawn attention to Odogwu’s use of the term, “Onye nwem (my lord)” to address Chioma, pointing out rightly that it was Igbo women who historically addressed their husbands like that. I think this is excusable on the basis that a man will say anything to butter up a woman he wants.
What other things do I like about the movie besides the foregoing? I applaud the fact that the proposal in the movie is done in private and Odogwu does not kneel to do it since he is a titled man. Personally, I consider public proposals an embarrassment at best and blackmail at worst, especially when strangers get involved and begin to chant, “Say yes!”
I also liked Odogwu and Chioma cooking for each other. She did not consider herself too busy to cook for him, neither did he consider it beneath him to cook for her. Strict gender division of labour is anachronistic. Women doing all the work at home while simultaneously holding down full-time jobs as many do now is unsustainable.
In addition, the acting in the movie is convincing. For example, the chemistry between the lead couple played by Uzor Arukwe and Bamike (Bambam) Olawunmi is palpable, and Chioma’s bitter boss exhibits the right amount of harshness toward her.
Moreover, the dialogue in the movie is intelligent, with quite a bit of humour. The film is long with a running time of 115:58 minutes but the direction is smooth, giving the viewer the chance to soak in the performances without dragging them out unnecessarily.
I do, however, feel that due to the length of the movie, its soundtrack would have benefited from more variety in the songs featured.
I also need to correct what I consider a misconception made in the movie about Igbo women. In one of her lines, Chioma said that Igbo men like to pamper their women while the women laze around or words to that effect. Nothing can be further from the truth. Many Igbo women contribute to the sustenance of their families. Some actually do the heavy lifting and not just when they are widowed. In the old days, they engaged in both farming and trading. And now, they work in government and the private sector while farming, trading and doing other businesses. Even the ones married to the Odogwus of this world help their husbands to manage their businesses or run enterprises of their own.
But in the movie’s defence, many people with Igbo names, like the character Chioma, know very little about Igboland – the people, the language and the culture. Igbo parents really need to step up to connect their children more to their roots.
Love In Every Word is an impressive work of art, I must say, despite the slight flaws pointed out earlier and certain aspects of the movie which I as a Christian do not endorse, particularly the kissing and sex before marriage. I rate the movie 8/10.
Image credit: Omoni Oboli TV on YouTube
Movie Credits
Director: Stanley Obi
Producer: Grace Onyia
Executive Producers: Omoni Oboli & Tomi Adeoya
Screenplay Writer: Daniel Uzodinma
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Have you seen the movie? How do you score it and why?
This review, I recommend that you send it to an online magazine. This is amazing. Though I haven’t seen the movie, you have told the story in a nutshell. You have unveiled themes found in this movie.
I will go see the movie and comeback here for a proper direction of the theme. Well done, nwanyi oma!
Thanks for the kudos. I meela!
It’s an amazing review ma’am.
The review is actually nice.
It brings the mind down to what makes the movie different from all romantic Nigerian movies.
On the friends Chioma has, judging from the fact that Nigerian ladies often encourage their female friends to go for guys who are rich and educated, despite being educated, their friends had that mindset too. As long as he takes care of you and loves you, no wahala.
I can’t say it all. But one thing I know for sure is that you did a nice job in the review.
I haven’t seen the movie and may not do so. Not much of a movie person myself. But my wife is one and I’ll be surprised if she hasn’t already seen it.
Enjoyed this fairly balanced review, which is full of praise for the movie, but ends with a criticism that is underpinned by the Christian worldview on premarital kissing and sex. And though unintended, that criticism may just be the turn off for people who share the same Christian persuasion with the reviewer and may not have seen the movie. Except if they keep in mind that it is not a Christian movie and the ‘love’ used in the movie title is not the Agape kind of love but the other one between adults of opposite sex.
Yes, the kissing, other physical intimacy and sex (though not overtly demonstrated) will likely vex the soul of Christians and they need to be alerted beforehand. I say likely because many are just nominal Christians.
My aim was to evaluate the art (which I found commendable) while pointing out what I considered inaccurate (if it’s important enough) and what might offend some people’s sensibilities. Thanks a lot.
I have seen the movie and I learnt a lot from the movie.
I’m glad that you pointed out certain things in the review you gave, the wonderfully played part, and the ones that you corrected
Nice One ma.
Even though I haven’t watched the movie, I like the review because it presented the movie more lively.
Such a nice review
Good one👍
Sex outside marriage is not the right approach to marriage, I love the movie though
Thank you Aunty Edith for your review 🤍❤️💙
Kudos ma
Excellent review 👏👏
A review well done.
I’ll have to watch the movie it sounds interesting and will be worth it.
Wow this review is really detailed
I haven’t watched the movie yet but I already know most of what happened and I’m impressed.
This really taught me some of the basis to write a review
Thank you so much ma🥰
Even without seeing the movie yet , going through this review, the movie now has my interest and I’m so glad that after going through this review am aware of what I should be expecting from the movie like the sex and kissing part . Thanks a lot
I must commend you for this review. It narrated what happened in the movie and as well very educating. Thank you for this wonderful review
I do score it an 8/10. Because I really love the concept where chioma is already a working class lady, and not some girl trying to leach of a wealthy man.
It teaches the girls of this days to work hard.
The movie was well detailed and made so clear even for those who haven’t had time to watch the movie
You practically spoke the mind of most people especially when you said that people need to put more effort in learning their languages
This is nice ✨
Sincerely speaking ma, you nailed it, I mean the review was objective analyzing it from all angles
Wowww
A wonderful review indeed
I don’t really see the need of watching it again cause am being carried along
At least I have gotten to take part in the movie
A balanced review. Well explained and well detailed. Good work
The reviewer provides a thoughtful analysis of “Love In Every Word”, praising its portrayal of Igbo culture, chemistry between leads, and intelligent dialogue.
The rate at which you broke down the movie in your own perspective is true and agreeable, i haven’t watched the movie but this has anticipated me to watch it
It was really resonating,I enjoyed every bit of it
I have watched the movie,and I think it’s amazing movie. And the review touched every part of the movie.
It’s insightful and eye-opening.
Without even watching the movie, I have gotten a glimpse of what the movie is talking about.
Thank you for the review, it exposes key aspects of the movie.
Nawa ooo
Wonderful review , but the success of this movie on my own opinion is as a result of the active and factual actings displayed by the characters.
I enjoyed this review and there was a lot of praises in the movie. And for the fact that obiora was still nice to choima even though chroma turned him down, showing his a man of his word and also for the fact he turned choima down when she ask for sex it shows that’s not what his after
This is indeed a critical review,and the various insights are already serving as an eye opener to the people that have not seen the movie.
Odogwu pararan is actually majority of our girls dream man 😂,but what they don’t want to know is that Chioma was already financially stable..
Work hard like Chioma and your odogwu will come for you😂😂😂😂…
Peace ✌️🕊️
This is quite an astounding review about a man trying to get his woman by all cost,this movie has shown how Nollywood movies are actually getting better
This review is really good
More power to your elbow
Wow this movie review is superb.Even though I haven’t watched the movie,I was able to get a glimpse of what the movie looks like.I’d love to write a review as good as this someday…..
The review is quite good and arouses interest in people who haven’t seen the movie yet.
But then I’ll like to say something about an event that seems unrealistic. A man coming to a girls workplace with “ndi ogene” ahhh!! Make it make sense (I am asking the writer tho’) .
And the producer should have put more efforts in the sound, because the background noise in some scenes were near horrible.
Generally the movie is a banger.
I’ll give it a big 7/10.
It is entertainment. It is meant to help people escape the harshness of life. While you can make it close to reality, 100% match with reality is boring and unsatisfactory. Not even reality TV aspires to achieve that.
This is an ideal movie and it used different means to silently point out some issues that needs to be addressed in our country and I love the fact that you used this medium to list them.
What an interesting and mind-blowing review.
The movie is so educative that it has to correct most ladies whose misconception about wealthy Igbo men is beyond comprehension.
Do not lose your birthright just to impress someone.
Kudos to Odogwu👍
The review is quite engaging and expressive. Though am yet watch the movie but the review has done much justice to it. There was no bias. Let me at this junction give kudos to the writer, Aunty Edith, for the comprehensive work. Many things to learn, unlearn and apply.
Kudos.
From my point of view, I really haven’t watched the movie but with the summary of the movie, I feel it will be a great movie to watch. The fact that the Igbo culture still has to be emphasized on in the upbringing of the new generational children is alarming. But the movie will seem to be an entertaining one. Thank you for the review ma.
Though I haven’t watched the movie,but merely looking at your review ma,I would say that the movie is much interesting and it teaches a lot( directly to to the igboland).
On the matter of the kissing and sex,I have nothing to say about it,though as a Christian I will demolish the excesses in the movie.
I felt perplexed at first when I started going through this review,but honestly speaking I do recomend this review,and I also find meaning and understanding in this review.am so Eiger to go and watch the movie. I really love the review.thankyou ma I really appreciate.
I haven’t watched or seen the movie but with your review ma’am I have learnt a lot
Thanks for the review and God bless you ma
A very brilliant review, I must say ma’am.
Through this thorough review, I was able to get a summarize knowledge of what the movie is all about despite having not watched it.
Thank you ma.
Very interesting and educational mama.I have not really watched the movie but one thing I learnt is the is the disadvantage of sex before marriage.
Even without seeing the movie yet , going through this review, the movie now has my interest and I’m so glad that after going through this review am aware of what I should be mindful of like the sex and kissing part in the movie Thanks a lot
Amazing!
This is totally giving.