Married to Work navigates the intricacies of relationships and human nature regarding success and desires. With its fulcrum on two young adults who, in their respective lives, have things working out for them until tragedy strikes and fate brings them together, Married to Work answers the question of the possibility of love blooming on a rock-solid surface. Married to Work highlights cultural differences and adaptations, human virtues, and most of all, the art of keeping relationships in love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. With many happy and funny scenes, Married to Work definitely passes for a rewatch!
Storyline
Heir to the Mlemba’s Conglomerate, Zako Mlemba, assumes his father’s seat as the CEO with non-relevant experiences and strategies to run the business. Conversely, the versatile Malaika, a senior executive, resigns from her job due to the work policy on intimate relationships between junior and senior colleagues in the company. Within a month of resigning while her boyfriend (Mark) keeps his job, Mark finds someone, and the trajectory of the 5-year relationship changes.
Malaika is deployed to Tanzania for a three-month contract to change the downward spiral of Mlemba & Mlemba Properties. Zaki meets the new development with staunch disapproval and unwillingness to succumb to glorified babysitting by an overly opinionated Malaika. Malaika is bent on realizing her goals for the company’s financial improvement with or without Zaki’s team cooperation. Zaki believes he can’t be tossed around and shamed for incompetency. How then, can the status quo of the renowned Mlemba & Mlemba Properties change without breaking a few rules? Can a relationship bloom in pretence and selfishness? A trip to Zanzibar changes everything! Get your fill by seeing Married to Work!
Characterization/Cast
Directed by Philippe Bresson and written by Angela Ruhinda, Nadira Shakur, and Idris Sultan, Married to Work features actors who did a good job. Grace Wacuka (Malaika) acts great, embodying the emotions to come with each scene, and her eloquence as a prime and proper character is commendable, as is the same for Idris Sultan (Zaki Mlemba). The cast includes: Idris Sultan (Zaki Mlemba), Grace Wacuka (Malaika Waweru), Meg Otanwa (Yvonne Ezenna), Brian Abajah (Mark Maina), Melvin Alusa (Taji Waweru), Siti Amina, Ally Baharoon (Brian), Brian Chandrabose (Abdul), Mzee Chillo (Mr. Temu), Talie Gray (Brenda), amongst others.
Setting/Props/Songs
Set in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, Married to Work features beautiful scenery, admirable state-of-the-art in the Zanzibar lodge, accompanied by cultural music, Taarab, exploring Zanzibar, the Zanzibari food, and the Forodhani Market. An exception in the movie’s props is Malaika’s hair. Malaika is made to have one hairstyle for the span of four months of the storyline; quite unbelievable. Lastly, blending indigenous songs and live band in the movie make Married to Work to related cultural production.
Cinematography/Dialogue
The dialogues are mainly in Swahili and a regular code mix of Swahili and English. The conversations also reveal the differences in culture and acceptable norms in Tanzanian and Kenyan societies using language. Some scenes are made to have their own acts as the camera directly gives voice to the actions for the audience to deduce the implication.
Married to Work offers a compelling exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of corporate dynamics and cultural differences. Through its engaging storyline, well-crafted characters, and picturesque settings, the film captivates audiences while delving into themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the pursuit of success. With its blend of heartfelt moments, humour, and insightful dialogue, Married to Work leaves a lasting impression, inviting viewers to reflect on the importance of communication, understanding, and compromise in both professional and personal spheres.