Everybody Loves Jenifa arrives with all the flair and anticipation expected from a Funke Akindele-led blockbuster. The film wears many hats: action, comedy, and drama, often juggling them with mixed success.

Divided into two distinct chapters, the Lagos/Nigeria segment serves as a socially charged domestic drama, while the Ghana chapter transforms into a fast-paced, King of Boys-esque thriller. It’s a film bursting with star power, comedic moments, and moments of undeniable charm.

However, beneath the surface lies a slightly muddled execution. The energy Funke Akindele brings to her titular character keeps the film afloat, but an overabundance of subplots, abrupt tonal shifts, and some missed creative opportunities prevent Everybody Loves Jenifa from fully realising its potential.

While it undoubtedly delivers as a festive crowd-pleaser, it leaves the question: does everyone truly love Jenifa, or are we simply expected to?

Story

Everybody Loves Jenifa attempts to explore ambition, justice, and resilience within a chaotic world. The narrative touches on heavy themes like domestic violence, power dynamics, and social responsibility, blending them with Jenifa’s signature comedic charm. Jenifa’s journey feels both personal and larger-than-life, as she navigates societal obstacles, external threats, and her own vulnerabilities.

However, despite its thematic richness, the story struggles to maintain cohesion. The film introduces thought-provoking concepts but rarely delves deep enough to leave a lasting impact. Moments of emotional gravity are often overshadowed by comedic gimmicks or side tracked by excessive subplots. While Jenifa’s growth is clear, the film leans heavily on the audience’s pre-existing love for her character rather than earning that affection through the narrative itself.

Nevertheless, amidst the narrative disarray, Everybody Loves Jenifa finds its charm in Jenifa’s undying spirit and her interactions with those around her. The story carries heart, but its delivery feels scattered, missing the focus required to tie its themes together.

Plot

The plot unfolds across two distinct chapters: the Lagos/Nigeria narrative, filled with societal tension and moral dilemmas, and the Ghana segment, which escalates into a chaotic thriller. Jenifa’s entanglement with Lobster’s domestic violence scandal in Lagos sets the stage for a compelling conflict, only to be abruptly abandoned as the film pivots to a suspenseful yet haphazard adventure in Ghana.

While the transition between the two chapters offers a certain dynamism, it feels rushed and underdeveloped. Subplots appear and disappear without resolution, and the sheer number of celebrity cameos clutters the narrative, reducing potentially meaningful arcs to fleeting moments.

Additionally, the abrupt tonal shifts between comedic and intense thriller elements can be jarring, disrupting the overall flow of the film.

That said, certain plot elements still shine through. The romance between Jenifa and Shege, while occasionally feeling forced, offers moments of genuine connection and levity. The comedic chaos of the Ghana chapter also carries enough energy to keep the audience entertained, even if it feels narratively disjointed.

Ultimately, the plot’s ambition is commendable, but its execution leaves much to be desired, with loose ends and uneven pacing overshadowing its brighter moments.

Performances

One of the undeniable strengths of Everybody Loves Jenifa is its performances. Funke Akindele remains a force of nature, effortlessly embodying Jenifa with her signature comedic timing, infectious energy, and moments of vulnerability. Her portrayal anchors the film, reminding audiences why Jenifa remains one of Nollywood’s most enduring characters.

Falz, as Shege, delivers a performance filled with charm and light-hearted sincerity. Though their romantic subplot feels slightly contrived by the plot, their chemistry creates some of the film’s most heart warming moments.

Two performances that undeniably stand out are Layi Wasabi as Rex and Bisola Aiyeola as Madam Bassey. Layi Wasabi’s comedic delivery feels sharp and natural, consistently stealing scenes with impeccable timing. Bisola Aiyeola, through her portrayal of Madam Bassey, reminds us of her incredible range as an actress. She balances strength, vulnerability, and satire with finesse, making Madam Bassey one of the film’s more memorable characters.

However, not all characters are given the same care. Patience Ozokwor’s Miss Agnes feels underutilised, her presence reduced to little more than a glorified cameo. Additionally, the over-reliance on celebrity appearances, while exciting for audiences, dilutes the focus from the core narrative.

Additionally, the sheer number of celebrity cameos, while exciting for audiences, sometimes dilutes the focus from the core characters and their arcs. Certain roles feel shoehorned in, as though their primary purpose was to populate the screen.

Despite these shortcomings, the performances inject much-needed life into the film. Even when the story falters, the charisma and dedication of the cast keep the audience engaged.

Technical Aspects

Technically, Everybody Loves Jenifa delivers a serviceable experience, hitting industry standards without pushing creative boundaries. The cinematography, production design, and costumes are adequate.

The colour grading, which appeared dull in the film’s trailer, carries over into the final product, giving the film an underwhelming visual tone.

Another noticeable shortcoming lies in the soundtrack. With the promotional use of Everybody Loves Christmas creating anticipation for a festive atmosphere, it’s puzzling that the song was entirely absent from the film itself. This feels like a missed opportunity, not only in setting a festive tone but also in reinforcing the emotional and thematic undercurrents of the narrative. The soundtrack as a whole doesn’t leave much of an impression, failing to elevate key moments or create memorable auditory cues.

For a film positioned as a December blockbuster, these oversights in visual and musical presentation are hard to ignore. While the technical execution doesn’t detract significantly from the experience, it certainly doesn’t elevate it either.

Final Thoughts

Everybody Loves Jenifa is a celebration of its titular character with cracks in its foundation. It feels less like a carefully crafted film and more like an extended highlight reel celebrating Jenifa as a character.

However, the film struggles to make the audience truly care about Jenifa’s journey. Jenifa isn’t portrayed as someone we’re discovering anew or growing with; she’s simply presented as a character we’re expected to love without question. This reliance on the audience’s pre-existing affection for Jenifa creates an emotional disconnect for those who may not already be invested in her story. The film does too little to earn the audience’s emotional buy-in, leaning instead on nostalgia and forced feel-good moments.

For example, the rushed and overly explained conclusion, complete with Sege’s coordinated surprise with Jenifa’s friends, feels more like an obligation to wrap things up neatly than an organic resolution to the story. Simply put, the emotional investment in Jenifa’s journey feels surface-level, relying heavily on nostalgia and the audience’s pre-existing affection for her.

The rushed resolution, overly explained plot points, and inconsistent pacing further weaken the film’s emotional core.

Additionally, while the promotional campaign for Everybody Loves Jenifa was undeniably ground breaking, it inadvertently highlighted the film’s biggest weakness: its story was never the selling point. The focus was placed on everything else except the narrative. From celebrity appearances (even Hilda Bassey), comedy, and familiar charm, while the story itself was left fragmented and underdeveloped.

When the credits roll, it becomes clear why: the film doesn’t deliver a cohesive or compelling story that matches its grand promotional promises.

That said, Everybody Loves Jenifa is not without its charm. It is entertaining and filled with moments designed to make audiences laugh, cheer, and feel good. While it may not linger in your memory long after the credits roll, it offers enough joy and spectacle to make it worth a trip to the cinema.

Verdict

An interesting but uneven crowd-pleaser, propped up by undeniable star power and scattered moments of charm. Entertaining, yes, but ultimately unsatisfactory as a cohesive cinematic experience.

Rating: 3/5