#NollywoodReview #WrittenLoveMovie #BolajiOgunmola #AfricanCinema
Overall Rating: .................... (3/5 Stars)
Introduction: The Modern Nollywood Corporate Warfare
In the ever-evolving landscape of "New Nollywood," the fascination with the corporate elite—lavish offices, high-stakes board meetings, and the "Big Man" syndrome—has become a staple. "Written Love," the 2026 release featuring Michael Dappa and the ever-commanding Bolaji Ogunmola, attempts to weave these corporate tropes into a narrative about love, betrayal, and the toxic weight of inheritance.
As a veteran observer of our industry, I’ve seen this story told a thousand times in different costumes, but Written Love tries to do something slightly different. It isn’t just about who gets the company; it’s a psychological tug-of-war between a man’s sense of entitlement and a woman’s undeniable competence. But does it successfully navigate the transition from a typical "YouTube Nollywood" drama to a cinematic masterpiece, or does it get stuck in the traffic of overused tropes? Let’s peel back the layers.
1. Narrative Structure: A Slow Burn with a Sharp Turn
The film opens with a classic Nollywood hook: a presentation. We are immediately thrust into the rivalry between Maxwell (Michael Dappa) and his cousin Silas. The tension is thick, but the pacing in the first act feels a bit stretched. We spend a lot of time watching Maxwell sulk over his suspension before the real meat of the story—his encounter with Bridget (Bolaji Ogunmola)—begins.
The script utilizes a linear progression, but it’s the emotional pacing that feels uneven. The transition from Bridget being a struggling chef to her being groomed for the CEO position by Maxwell’s father is a narrative leap that requires a significant "suspension of disbelief" from the Nigerian audience. While the "spiritual" themes common in older films are absent here, they are replaced by a "destiny" narrative that feels just as fated. The climax, involving a staged scandal and a suicide attempt, provides the high-octane drama Nollywood fans crave, but the resolution feels a tad rushed, almost as if the director realized they were hitting the two-hour mark and needed to wrap up the "happily ever after."
2. Performance Analysis: Bolaji Ogunmola Carries the Weight
If there is one reason to sit through the nearly two-hour runtime, it is Bolaji Ogunmola. Playing Bridget, she brings a groundedness to a character that could have easily become a caricature of the "strong independent woman." Her transition from the kitchen to the boardroom is handled with a subtle shift in posture and vocal tone that shows why she is one of the most reliable leads in the industry today.
Michael Dappa as Maxwell offers a convincing portrayal of a man unravelling. He captures the "Lagos Big Boy" fragility perfectly—the type of man who loves his woman until she becomes his boss. Their chemistry is palatable in the early romantic scenes (the "jacket" scene stands out), making his later betrayal feel genuinely hurtful.
The supporting cast, particularly the actor playing Maxwell’s father, provides that quintessential "Nollywood Patriarch" energy—stern, slightly detached, and obsessed with "legacy." However, the character of Silas feels a bit underwritten, serving more as a plot device to trigger Maxwell’s insecurities rather than a fully fleshed-out antagonist.
3. Cinematography and Visual Mood: Cinematic or TV-Style?
Visually, Written Love sits comfortably in the "Premium YouTube" bracket. The lighting in the interior office scenes is consistent, avoiding the harsh, flat shadows often found in lower-budget productions. The use of close-ups during the intense board meeting where Bridget is named CEO effectively captures the shock on the characters' faces, elevating the emotional stakes.
However, the film suffers from a lack of shot variety. Many scenes feel "stagey," with characters standing in a line or sitting across a desk in a way that feels more like a TV soap opera than a feature film. There are missed opportunities for "Blue Ocean" visuals (ironic, given the early dialogue about business strategy) that could have made the corporate world feel more expansive and less like a single set in Lekki. The color grading is warm, perhaps a bit too saturated in the domestic scenes, but it serves the "romance" aspect of the title.
4. Sound Design & Music: The Nollywood Achilles' Heel
Sound remains the area where most Nollywood films struggle, and Written Love is no exception. While the dialogue is generally audible, there are noticeable shifts in room tone between different takes in the same scene.
The soundtrack is heavily reliant on lyrical ballads that literally describe the characters' feelings ("Endless love so sweet..."). While this is a hallmark of the genre, it sometimes robs the actors of the chance to let the silence speak. A more sophisticated, instrumental score during the scenes of Maxwell’s mental breakdown would have felt more cinematic. On the plus side, the use of Nigerian English and occasional code-switching feels authentic to the Lagos corporate environment—it doesn't feel forced or overly "polished" for a foreign audience.
5. Production Design: Wardrobe as a Weapon
The costume department deserves a nod. The way Bridget’s wardrobe evolves from casual aprons and simple tops to structured, high-fashion power suits effectively communicates her arc without a single word of dialogue. Maxwell’s suits, too, reflect his status—initially sharp and crisp, becoming increasingly dishevelled as his life falls apart.
The set design of the "Legacy Corporations" office is believable, though it leans into the trope of Nigerian offices needing to look like a showroom. The restaurant Bridget builds feels authentic, though we could have seen more of the "sweat and tears" she mentions to make her sacrifice of selling it feel more impactful.
6. Thematic Depth: Ego vs. Competence
The core of this film is a scathing social commentary on Nigerian Patriarchy. It explores a very specific, modern fear: the Nigerian man who is supportive of a woman’s "hustle" until that hustle surpasses his own.
Maxwell’s line, "I can't work under you because it's everything I've ever wanted," is a profound moment of honesty. It reflects a societal reality where a man’s birthright is often tied to his position of authority over women. The film also touches on:
Corporate Ethics: The distinction between tax avoidance and evasion.
Family Legacy: The crushing pressure of living up to a successful father’s shadow.
Forgiveness: The ending poses a difficult question—can you truly forgive a partner who tried to destroy your soul to save their ego?
7. Plot Logic & The "Nollywood Shortcuts"
The film isn't without its "How did we get here?" moments. The subplot involving the "abortion pills" feels like a sharp pivot into melodrama that wasn't fully earned by the preceding scenes. Additionally, the ease with which Maxwell is able to coordinate a staff strike against the CEO feels a bit far-fetched in a country with such high unemployment—most workers wouldn't risk their "daily bread" for a family feud.
The "villain confession" from Silas at the end, involving a gun and a sudden change of heart, is a trope we need to retire. It’s a narrative shortcut used to wrap up complex emotions with a "dramatic" bow.
My Verdict: Is It Worth the Watch?
Written Love is a solid, middle-of-the-road Nollywood drama that is elevated by its lead performances. It successfully moves away from the "village vs. city" tropes and dives into the complexities of modern, urban Nigerian relationships. While it stumbles on technical sound issues and some narrative clichés, its heart is in the right place.
It is a cautionary tale for the "Alpha Male" era—a reminder that a man’s greatest enemy isn't his rival in the boardroom, but his own unmanaged ego.
Who should watch this?
Fans of Bolaji Ogunmola (she’s at her best here).
Couples who enjoy debating "what would you do?" scenarios.
Anyone who loves a good corporate drama with a side of heavy romance.
Conclusion: If you’re looking for a film that mirrors the tensions of the modern Nigerian office and the fragility of the male ego, "Written Love" is a worthy addition to your weekend watchlist. It’s a messy, emotional, and ultimately hopeful look at what happens when "I love you" meets "I want your job."
Watch it on: EXCLUSIVE NOLLYFLIX+ YouTube Channel.
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#WrittenLoveMovie
#BolajiOgunmola
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