Summary
...When Love Happens is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film co-produced and directed by Seyi Babatope. It stars Weruche Opia, OC Ukeje, Beverly Naya, Oreka Godis, Gideon Okeke, Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, Wale Ojo, Keppy Ekpenyong and Shafy Bello.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The film tells the story of Mo, a successful events planner whose job is to help other people plan their weddings, but finds it hard to get into a relationship.
| ...When Love Happens | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Seyi Babatope |
| Written by | Diche Enunwa Temitope Bolade |
| Story by | Seyi Babatope |
| Produced by | Kene Mparu Moses Babatope Seyi Babatope |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Pindem Lot |
| Edited by | Joe Larue |
| Music by | Re Olunuga |
Production companies | Future Gate Pictures PHB Films |
| Distributed by | FilmOne Distribution |
Release date |
|
Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | English |
Cast edit
- Weruche Opia as Moduroti 'Mo' Bankole-Smith
- Gideon Okeke as Tobe Okoronkwo
- Beverly Naya as Jennifer Obigwe
- Oreka Godis as Tseju
- OC Ukeje as Dare Laguda
- Keppy Ekpenyong as Tunde Bankole-Smith
- Shafy Bello as Anna Bankole-Smith
- Wale Ojo as Oladele Laguda
- Bukky Wright as Mrs Laguda
- Desmond Elliot as Lanre
- Helen Paul as Chika
- Blossom Chukwujekwu as Ike
- KC Ejelonu as KC
- Femi Brainard as
- Enyinna Nwigwe as
Production edit
Production of the film took 7 months.[7] Principal photography, which lasted for two weeks,[8] commenced in Lagos around February 2014.[9][10]
Release edit
Behind the scenes short documentary videos were constantly released on YouTube from August through September 2014. A teaser trailer was released on 3 September 2014, along with promotional posters and photos.[11][12][13] The official theatrical trailer was released online on 19 September 2014.[14][15] It premiered on 16 October 2014, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, The Palms in Lekki, Lagos,[16][17] and was generally released in movie theatres on 24 October 2014.[18][19][20]
Reception edit
Critical reception edit
The film has been positively received since its release; Bello and Ekpeyong have been generally described as the standout couple in the film. Most critics however noted that Okeke is unable to get out of his Tinsel character, and that the chemistry between Opia and Okeke is almost non-existent (or not harnessed) on screen. Nollywood Reinvented gave it a 41%, mentioning that there is not much more to this than the purest and most basic form of a 'chic flick'.[21] Sodas and Popcorn gave a 4 out of 5 stars and concluded: "When Love Happens is a well-directed movie, with a lovely cast and crew. It delivers a very fun time. If you are a fan of simple, fun and family healthy comedies, you would love this one".[22] Toni Kan commends the scripting and the performances from the actors, concluding that: "Over all, this is a delightful movie that does Nollywood proud".[23] Efeturi Doghudje of 360Nobs praised the picture quality and music, but noted that the film dragged a bit due to presence of unnecessary scenes and long dialogues, which could've been edited. She rated the film 4 out of 10 stars and concluded: "for a first feature film, When Love Happens was something more than an ordinary. It is an easy-going RomCom, with a well thought out cast and a great production".[7] Movie Pencil commended the scripting and production quality. It gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as a "feel good experience".[24]
Accolades edit
When Love Happens received nominations at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in three categories, including "Best Actress in a Comedy" for Opia and "Best Supporting Actor" for Ukeje.[25]
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multichoice (2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards)[26][27] |
Best Actress in a Comedy | Weruche Opia | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | OC Ukeje | Nominated | |
| Best Comedy Writer | Diche Enunwa, Temitope Bolade | Nominated |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Desmond Elliott, O.C. Ukeje lead the pack in When Love Happens". Vanguard. Vanguard News. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ Money, Ayex (September 2014). "Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, OC Ukeje star in When Love Happens". Nigerian Trends. NG Trends. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ "Star Studded Movie 'When Love Happens' Coming Soon". BizWatchNigeria. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ Seun (18 September 2014). "Desmond Elliott, O.C. Ukeje Lead The Pack In When Love Happens". Best of Nollywood. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ Jasanya, Olamide (23 September 2014). "Bukky Wright, Desmond Elliot, OC Ukeje star in When Love Happens". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 27 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (4 August 2014). "OC Ukeje, Gideon Okeke, Weruche Opia in "When Love Happens"". Pulse. Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ a b Doghudje, Efeturi (24 October 2014). "Movie Review: When Love Happens". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ Akinseye, Isabella. ""When Love Happens should make even the most cynical person smile" Seyi Babatope". Nolly Silver Screen. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ "Coming Soon: When Love Happens". Nollywood Mindspace. Nollywood by Mindspace. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ "'When Love Happens' Between O.C. Ukeje, Helen Paul". PM News. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Majjorie (17 September 2014). "'When Love Happens' OC Ukeje, Weruche Opia Star in New Movie". Nollywood Naijas. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ "Romantic Comedy 'When Love Happens" Releases Movie Posters and Trailer". City People. City People News. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ "Romantic Comedy 'When Love Happens" Releases Movie Posters and Trailer". Nollywood Magazine. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Pryme, Segun (18 September 2014). "Movie Trailer: When Love Happens". Info Nubia. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ Cole, Mistah (20 September 2014). "Trailer: WHEN LOVE HAPPENS starring Weruche R. Opia, OC Ukeje, Oreka Godis, Wale Ojo". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ Izuzu, Chidumga (18 October 2014). "OC Ukeje, Gideon Okeke, Others Attend Movie Premiere". Pulse NG. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ Tolu (17 October 2014). "Exclusive photos from 'When Love Happens' Lagos premiere". Information Nigeria. Information NG. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Must Watch! Nigeria's Hottest Young Movie Stars feature in "When Love Happens" | Trailer & Poster". BellaNaija. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ "When Love Happens: In Cinemas October 24th 2014!". 9aijabooksandmovies. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Husseini, Shaibu (12 October 2014). "When Love Happens In Cinemas October 24". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ "When Love Happens". Nollywood Reinvented. 24 January 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018.
- ^ "Sodas & Popcorn Movie Review: When Love Happens". BellaNaija. 29 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Kan, Toni (26 October 2014). "MOVIE REVIEW: WHAT HAPPENS "WHEN LOVE HAPPENS by Toni Kan". Sabinews. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "When Love Happens: Seyi Babatope's Nollywood feature film debut". Movie Pencil. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ "Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2015 nominees list out". GhanaWeb. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ "List Of The 2015 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCAs) Nominees". DStv. StarGist. 13 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ "AMVCA winners announced". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
External links edit
- When Love Happens at IMDb
- ...When Love Happens trailer on YouTube
- When Love Happens Archived 2019-08-30 at the Wayback Machine on Demand Africa
