Toyin Abraham returns with her second YouTube release, and while the anticipation was cautiously optimistic, many were curious to see if she’d step up her game this time around. Written and co-directed by Abraham, the film follows the emotional rollercoaster of a woman who would go to any length for love, only to fall for a man whose intentions are the complete opposite of hers. It’s a tale of misplaced trust, intense devotion, and the dangerous consequences of loving the wrong person.
Plot
Bolanle has been in a relationship with Jide for twelve long years — and yes, they’re still courting. She is the living definition of someone willing to do anything for love, especially when it comes to her man. A successful business owner, Bolanle holds things down financially while Jide, jobless and constantly knee-deep in one money mess after another, drags her through the mud. The movie opens with a bang, Jide being accused of fraud, prompting Bolanle to sell her car just to cover his debts.
Despite being unemployed, Jide clings to the excuse that he can’t propose until he’s “settled” and has a job, a dream Bolanle helps fulfil by pulling strings through a friend to land him a position. Meanwhile, although she struggles to support her own family, Bolanle has no qualms splurging on Jide, his relatives, and even his freeloading friends, who jokingly and rather mockingly call her “Our Wife.”
But love soon turns sour. Jide’s new job leads him straight into the arms of his boss, Tiwa. What starts as a professional relationship escalates into romance, albeit without physical intimacy, not until he puts a ring on it. And just like that, Jide ends things with Bolanle. When confronted, he cruelly blames her appearance, claiming she’s “unkempt” and “not put together.”
Heartbroken and humiliated, Bolanle fights back the only way she knows how, by making a public declaration that they are getting married. Chaos erupts when Tiwa stumbles upon the video, but Jide, ever the manipulator, dismisses Bolanle as a delusional ex and fast-tracks his proposal to Tiwa. However, lies have a short shelf life, and soon, Tiwa discovers the truth.
Jide loses everything.
Now stripped of his illusions and left with nothing but regret, Jide returns to Bolanle, finally ready to do things right. But after everything she’s been through, will she take him back?
Cast
The movie features exciting stars like Toyin Abraham, Deyemi Okanlawon, Rotimi Salami, Dapo Martins, Bianca Ugowanne, Modena Lawal.
Language
Our Wife was predominantly in Yoruba, with a perfect blend of English, beautifully capturing the essence of a typical Yoruba home and setting.
Final take
Toyin Abraham’s Our Wife, her second film to debut on YouTube, unfortunately, leans more toward disappointment than delight. While she seems to be carving a niche by infusing Yoruba language and culture into her storytelling, a commendable touch, the plot itself feels tired and uninspired.
If we weren’t already familiar with Toyin Abraham’s name and influence, truthfully, there’d be little reason to stick around and see how this film ends.
The storyline is stale, overused, and lacking in emotional pull. And as for Toyin’s performance, there are moments you genuinely can’t tell if it’s meant to be comedic or serious. The inconsistency strips the film of the weight it desperately needs to carry such a heavy romantic premise.
Rather than leaving you eager for a twist or a resolution, it leaves you with the lingering thought: Did I really just watch that?
In an increasingly competitive Nollywood and digital film space, where fresh voices and bold storytelling are on the rise, we truly hope Toyin Abraham steps up her game. Because right now, her back-to-back releases are reading more like been there, done that, than can’t wait for what’s next.
