Jade Osiberu’s Christmas in Lagos gives the thrill of a typical “detty December,” created in the lushness and exoticness that is usually seen in the sphere of the influential. Set against the background of yuletide, Christmas in Lagos is thematically construed on love, healing, togetherness, and happiness. While watching Christmas in Lagos, a definite experience anyone will have is smiling at intervals as the story unravels in a comic and relatable way.
Storyline
Fiyin is thrilled at the homecoming of Ivie, her cousin, and Elo, her childhood best friend, bubbling with the hopes of rekindling their love (Fiyin and Elo), determined to make her love confession at the right moment. Her hopes and ambitions are cut short when Elo says he’s got a girlfriend and plans to propose to her during the Christmas holiday.
Simultaneously, Gbemisola (Fiyin’s mum) meets an old friend and former suitor, Zach, in a rather dire and comical way. He launches into his dandy style of impressing and wooing Gbemisola all over again. He competes with Prince Toye, making the love triangle a knotty one for Gbemisola.
On the other hand, Ladi (Gbemisola’s cook) and Chisom (delivery guy) find love in their middle-class cocoon, while Ivie and Ajani, though from different social classes, find love in the place of honesty and awareness of their differences, but this does not stop their love.
Elo’s family provides Christmas in Lagos with a more entangled issue of memory, trauma, healing, and living. This hurtful past connects Elo and Yagazie, making their bond stronger. Elo’s plan for a proposal hits a snag when Fiyin kisses him. Gbemisola needs to decide who the love of her life is and if she has the courage to get married. What happens next?
Cast & Characterization
The cast of Christmas in Lagos is incredibly well-fitted, kudos to the casting director. Each actor perfectly complements the other. An impressive tact of the director is the fact that all supporting actors are not just supporting; their abilities are explored and used within the story. Such is the case with Ladi, who hopes to become a fashion designer and wears one of her creations, Ivie’s talent as a poet, Chisom hoping to start his transport business, and Ajani, who is a delivery guy during the day but a musician at night.
The viewer is led with subtle inclinations and acts from Elo, suggesting the likelihood of erotic attraction rather than mere admiration for a long-time friend. This is also replicated in the love triangle of Gbemisola, Zach, and Toye; the seeming distraction in Gbemisola’s choice between her suitors makes the plot unpredictable. Embedding this dicey situation in the character’s reluctance shows the director’s initiative to include human frailty and vulnerability in matters of the heart.
Directed and produced by Jade Osiberu, Christmas in Lagos features Teniola Aladese as Fiyin, while Rayxia Ojo portrays Ivie. Shaffy Bello takes on the character of Gbemi, and Shalom C. Obiago appears as Elo. Wale Ojo stars as Prince Toye, and Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) embodies the role of Chief Dozie. Ladipoe plays Ajani, with Angelo Anosike as Yagazie and Ebele Okaro-Onyiuke as Agatha. Tris Udeh portrays Ladi, Obinna Okenwa takes on the role of Chisom, and Ejike Asiegbu appears as Nonso. Toyin Oshinaike plays Vicar Adeyemi, while Waje Iruobe stars as Caroline. Eku Edewor also plays the French chef.
Blind Spots
It is quite difficult to identify the lead character because all of the main characters are as visible and pronounced as the supposed lead character, which would be Fiyin. Fiyin’s character as a lead actor is not so distinct from the rest; hence, the fulcrum of the story is more collective than connecting the thread from one or two individuals.
Zak and Toye’s characters portray a mild friction in their love rivalry over Gbemisola, which undermines the potential of their characters, including the heightened conflict this could have led to.
Lastly, Fiyin’s character is not well developed as the viewers are only told by word of mouth, deduced from conversations, that Fiyin manages her mother’s clothing business. One or two scenes depicting this could have justified the claim and also allowed viewers to see other areas of Fiyin’s life.
Setting
Set in the metropolitan city of Lagos, Christmas in Lagos takes place in a socio-economic space where the upper class sustains a glitzy and glamorous lifestyle, while the lower class, such as Chisom, Ladi, and Ajani, exist in their own world. Regardless of the social strata, the common phenomenon of love happens to them all, whether requited or not.
Costume & Props
Christmas in Lagos is a colourful movie, filled with the affluence and beauty of life. The colourfulness deeply resonates with the yuletide season and the glamorous lives of its characters.
Dialogue & Language
The dialogue is swift and flows naturally, making the conversations relatable, believable, and enjoyable. The actors’ conversations are spontaneous and rapid, carrying the story forward effortlessly and as expected in real-life situations. The languages used are English, Yoruba, and Igbo, resonating with its African audience and, by extension, presenting a socio-cultural cinematic production.
Music
Christmas in Lagos features special appearances by hip-hop artists such as Ayra Starr, Adekunle Gold, and 121 Selah, while Waje also features as an actress. The movie includes songs from Cobhams Asuquo, Timi Dakolo, Kizz Daniel, Ladipoe, Asa, Portable, Chike ft. Mohbad, Jaido P, Titilope Sonuga’s poetry, Omah Lay, and many more. The song arrangements sync with the mood, action, and theme of each scene.