"When Love Strikes" Misses The Goalpost
Predictable romance, hollow storytelling, and squandered ambition overshadow fleeting moments of emotional depth.
βWhen Love Strikesβ is directed by Adeoluwa Owu. It is currently streaming on Prime Video. Like. Share. Subscribe.
Amidst a whirlwind of worrisome thoughtsβgrappling with the absence of a father who wholeheartedly supported his football dreams and stewing in uncertainties about his next step in lifeβIbukun Saka (Natse Jemide) meets and falls for Ngozi Okeke (Sunshine Rosman). Itβs not love at first sight, but the plot wants us to believe thereβs a spark between them with all the telltale signs of a romantic first encounter being shoved down our throats. However, thereβs a wrinkle: Ngozi also has the hots for Jason Okpara, Ibukunβs arch-rival and a nasty bully, played by Vine Olugu.
From the opening scene, you can already sense where When Love Strikes is headed. Its title and story beats suggest a predictable journey, and the film barely puts much effort into straying far from expectations.
A Familiar Problem
When Love Strikes has a lot in common with Onye Egwu, another football-centered Nollywood film released a few months ago, starring Zubby Michael. Both movies attempt to tackle big themesβsports, family, identityβbut fail to build a convincing world around them. For instance, Zubby Michaelβs character, a supposed ex-Nigerian Super Eagles star hosting a competition to discover the countryβs next big talent, spews grandiose declarations, but the world around him fails to reflect his larger-than-life persona. This lack of detail and authenticity plagues When Love Strikes too, even though it does a better job than its predecessor, it still manages to leave the viewer with a world that feels hollow and underdeveloped.
The Hits and Misses
There are a lot of subplots vying for this movieβs attention, with little to no successful payoffs, but When Love Strikes is at its brightest whenever it leans into the complexities of the Saka family dynamics, especially the emotional tension surrounding Ibukunβs parentage. The shadow of his late father, who passed away a year prior, looms heavily over the charactersβ lives, influencing decisions and relationships. Thereβs also an interesting narrative thread about his sister, Atinuke, and her strained relationship with their mother, which adds depth to the story. These moments ground the film in genuine emotion and create pockets of engagement amidst the clutter.
Unlike Onye Egwu, When Love Strikes does a better job depicting the game itself. The football matches on the field feel more believable, and the antics of the players, both on and off the pitch, add a layer of entertainment. The filmmakers deserve some credit here for making the sport an actual part of the story rather than just a backdrop.
Unfortunately, these strengths are few and far between. Much like the rest of the film, the central romance between Ibukun and Ngozi feels dull and lacks the spark it desperately needs to keep the audience invested. Ngoziβs sudden shift from swooning over Jason to being completely smitten with Ibukun is rushed and illogical, leaving no room for believable development. Their relationship fizzles when it should sizzle, and this dullness mirrors the overall lifeless tone of the film. For a story about love, passion, and ambition, When Love Strikes is curiously lacking in all three.
Implausible Twists and Predictable Endings
As is the case with many Nollywood films, the ending is rushed and poorly earned. The story takes an implausible turn when Ngozi conveniently overhears a heated argument between Atinuke and Mr. TJ, revealing the truth about Ibukunβs parentageβthat his "sister" is actually his mother. What are the odds of her being in the right place at the right time to stumble upon this pivotal moment? The tension is non-existent, and the reveal lands with a thud rather than a bang. By the time Ibukun learns the truth, the emotional impact has already been squandered, made worse by editing that feels haphazard at best.
For a movie that had, until that point, teetered on the edge of average, this clumsy climax firmly cements its place in the realm of forgettable.
Final Thoughts
Despite its ambition, When Love Strikes is ultimately bogged down by a lack of cohesion, poor casting, and a screenplay that doesnβt do its talented cast any favors. The movie aims to explore love, family, and the pressures of legacy, but its execution leaves much to be desired.
Thereβs a good story buried somewhere beneath the surfaceβone about a young man trying to reconcile his present with the ghosts of his past, a family grappling with secrets, and a love that blossoms in the most unexpected circumstances. Unfortunately, When Love Strikes never quite strikes the right balance to make that story shine.
Extra
Poor audio mixing made this even harder to watch
Jimmie Akinsola and Suo Chapele as the commentators delivered some of the movie's most entertaining moments.
Why does Vine Olugu always play the bad boy?
Natse Jemideβs protagonist struggled to shineβwas it because the character (IBK) was dull, the acting lacked spark, or perhaps a mix of both?
Directed by: Adeoluwa Owu
Starring: Jemide Natse, Sunshine Rosman, Osas Ighodaro, Bimbo Akintola, Chuks Joseph, Vine Olugu, Adedoyin Ademola, Zubby Michael, and more.