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Rating: ...................... (3/5 Stars)
Nollywood has long been the home of the "Ideal Man" trope—that wealthy, light-skinned, incredibly patient gentleman who seems to exist only to solve a family’s financial woes. In TRUE NOLLY’s latest release, Now and Always, we see this trope personified in Maurice Sam’s Felix. But beneath the surface of this shiny, 2025/2026 "Latest Exclusive" romantic drama lies a complex, often frustrating exploration of sisterhood, sacrificial love, and the magnetic pull of toxic pasts.
As a veteran analyst of Nigerian cinema, I’ve seen the industry transition from VCDs to YouTube-exclusive blockbusters. Now and Always sits comfortably in that new-age YouTube niche: high production value, fan-favorite leads, and a plot that feels like a modern Nigerian folktale.
The Narrative Hook: A Meeting of Fate and Finance
The film opens with a classic Nollywood "meet-cute," though it’s more of a "meet-crisis." Laura (Sonia Uche) is in a frantic state—her sister Clara has had an accident, and the weight of the world is on her shoulders. When she bumps into Felix (Maurice Sam), the incident serves as the catalyst for the entire plot.
The pacing in the first twenty minutes is brisk, avoiding the common Nollywood pitfall of overly long introductory "morning routines." Felix isn't just a passerby; he’s an agent of change. His immediate generosity—dropping 200,000 naira for a stranger’s medical bills—sets the stage for a story about gratitude versus genuine affection. This brings us to the core conflict: the blurred lines between loving someone for who they are and loving them for what they’ve done for you.
Cinematography: Glossy Aesthetics vs. Narrative Depth
Visually, Now and Always is a testament to how far digital cinematography in Lagos has come. The lighting in Felix’s house is consistent, avoiding the "orange-tint" over-saturation that plagued many 2020-era productions. The use of close-ups during Laura’s internal monologues effectively captures Sonia Uche’s ability to "act with her eyes."
However, there is a distinct "TV-style" feel to the framing. Many scenes rely heavily on the standard medium-shot-to-reverse-shot during dialogue. While it’s clean and professional, it lacks the adventurous camera movement that could have elevated the emotional weight of the sisters' confrontation later in the film. The color grading leans into a "Lagos High Life" palette—bright, aspirational, and clean—which contrasts sharply with the gritty emotional reality of Clara’s eventual downfall.
Sound Design & The Power of the Score
Sound is often where Nollywood films stumble, but here, the dialogue audibility is crisp. There are minimal environmental "hiss" sounds, suggesting a focused post-production effort.
The music cues are quintessentially Nollywood. The high-life and R&B fusions swell at exactly the right moments to tell the audience how to feel. While some might find the "lyrical storytelling" (where the song lyrics literally describe the character's feelings) a bit "on the nose," it’s a stylistic choice that resonates deeply with the local audience. It adds a layer of melodrama that is essential to the genre’s DNA.
Character Analysis: The Uche-Sam Chemistry
Sonia Uche as Laura: Sonia delivers a nuanced performance as the "responsible sister." She manages to portray a woman who is both deeply in love and fiercely loyal to her sibling. Her pain when Felix confesses his love for Clara is palpable. She represents the "long-suffering" Nigerian woman, but with a modern edge of entrepreneurship.
Maurice Sam as Felix: Maurice Sam has mastered the "Prince Charming of Lagos." His performance is steady, though at times almost too perfect. The moment he admits he’s been "blind" to Laura’s love is the payoff the audience waits for, and he delivers it with a convincing vulnerability.
Clara (The Troubled Sister): Clara’s character arc is the most controversial. Her decision to leave a man like Felix for Kingsley (the "bad boy" ex) is a plot point that will have many viewers screaming at their screens. It’s a reflection of a societal reality: the "Better the devil you know" syndrome. Her performance effectively captures the flightiness of a woman who hasn't healed from her past trauma.
Plot Logic and Cultural Reflections
The film tackles several heavy Nigerian themes:
The Burden of the First-Born (or the Responsible One): Laura carries the family. Her sacrifice of her own happiness for Clara is a very "Nigerian elder sibling" move.
The "Gigolo" Reality: The subplot involving Kingsley and his "sugar mommies" offers a sharp social commentary on the hustle culture in Lagos, where young men seek shortcuts to wealth, often leaving a trail of broken hearts behind.
Gratitude vs. Love: Can you force yourself to love a benefactor? Clara tries, but her heart isn't in it. This is a brave narrative choice by the writer, acknowledging that money cannot buy genuine chemistry.
The main plot hole lies in Felix’s initial "blindness." It’s somewhat hard to believe that a man so intuitive would completely miss Laura’s blatant signals in favor of the more detached Clara. However, in the world of Nollywood romance, this "blindness" is a necessary device to prolong the tension.
Production Design: Costume and Class
The wardrobe choices are intentional. Felix’s outfits scream "Quiet Luxury," while the sisters' transition from "struggling" to "glossy" after meeting Felix is reflected in their hair and nails—a detail that the dialogue even highlights. The set design of Felix's home is aspirational, serving the "aspirational cinema" appetite of the diaspora and local viewers who want to see a "New Nigeria."
Scene Spotlight: The Letter of Heartbreak
The turning point of the film is the reading of Clara’s letter. This scene is the emotional anchor. It shifts the film from a standard romance into a study of regret. The choice to have Laura nurse Felix back to health is a classic trope, but it works here because it grounds their relationship in service rather than just financial exchange.
The Verdict: Is It Viral Material?
Now and Always is a solid, engaging drama that leans heavily on the charisma of its leads. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it spins it very well. It captures the essence of modern Nollywood: beautiful people, high-stakes emotions, and a moral lesson about valuing those who truly see you.
Who should watch this? If you’re a fan of "slow-burn" romances, if you enjoy debating character choices with your friends on WhatsApp, or if you simply want to see Sonia Uche and Maurice Sam at the top of their game, this is for you. It’s a perfect Sunday afternoon watch with a bowl of jollof rice.
My Thoughts & Call-to-Action
The film ends on a high note of "New Beginnings," reminding us that while love can be sacrificial, it should never be invisible.
Have you watched Now and Always? Did Clara make the right choice by being honest, or was she just being ungrateful? And more importantly, would you have waited as long as Laura did?
Drop your comments below and let's discuss! Don't forget to share this review with your Nollywood-loving squad.
Watch the full movie on TRUE NOLLY's YouTube channel now and watch - "NOW AND ALWAYS' (2025/2026)
Verdict: A heartwarming, though occasionally frustrating, tale of the right love found in the wrong sister. 3/5 Stars.
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