Industry & Cultural Placement
The Nigerian cinema is a landscape, where the divide between high-budget theatrical spectacles and "YouTube-first" home-grown dramas has sharpened, "CHOOSING YOU" (produced by Blessing Obasi TV) emerges as a fascinating case study. It is a film that sits comfortably within the "New Home Video" era—productions designed for digital accessibility while attempting to mirror the polished aesthetics of cinema-grade romantic dramas.
Pre-release, the film generated significant buzz, primarily due to the casting of Blessing Obasi and the promise of a narrative that tackles the intersection of professional ambition and traditional family values. It is undeniably audience-driven, tapping into the perennial Nigerian obsession with marriage as a prerequisite for social and professional respectability. Situating it within Nollywood’s current phase, the film acts as a bridge between the moralistic storytelling of the early 2000s and the glossy, lifestyle-centric productions that dominate current streaming trends.
Narrative Structure & Story Architecture
At its core, "CHOOSING YOU" follows a traditional three-act structure, but it is one that leans heavily on the "fake relationship" trope—a cornerstone of global rom-coms that Nollywood has adapted with a peculiar local flavor.
The Hook: The narrative stakes are established early and effectively. Dera’s decision to lie about her marital status to secure a job at a prestigious Lagos firm serves as a potent inciting incident. It speaks to a very real, albeit regressive, Nigerian corporate reality where single women are often viewed as "high risk" or "unstable" by conservative employers.
Conflict & Escalation: The conflict is twofold—the external threat of exposure by her boss, Mrs. Fubara, and the internal struggle of Danny, the "fiancé-for-hire" whose own backstory provides a dark, unexpected counterpoint to the film’s lighter moments. However, the escalation of stakes occasionally feels forced. The dinner scene, while high-tension, relies on the boss being conveniently inquisitive, which borders on a caricature of the "nosy Nigerian auntie" boss.
The Third Act: The climax, triggered by the arrival of Dera’s brother, Kenna, serves as the inevitable explosion of the lie. While the pacing remains steady throughout, the resolution feels slightly rushed. The transition from the revelation of Danny’s tragic past (the death of his wife in London) to Dera’s ultimate acceptance of him feels like a narrative leap that prioritizes a "happy ending" over the complex emotional processing such a revelation would require in reality.
Screenwriting & Dialogue
The screenplay shines in its use of Nigerian Pidgin and colloquialisms, which lend the film a necessary layer of authenticity. The banter between Dera and Danny ranges from witty to deeply emotional, successfully avoiding the "over-explanation" trap that plagues many Nollywood scripts.
The dialogue effectively captures the Lagos-Abuja cultural divide—the "comfort weight" jokes and the "Lagos traffic" complaints resonate with the local audience. However, the handling of Danny’s revelation is where the script falters slightly. The exposition here is heavy-handed; instead of allowing the audience to piece together Danny’s trauma through his behavior, the script chooses to have Kenna "yell" the backstory at the audience. It’s a classic case of "telling" instead of "showing," which robs the scene of some of its psychological weight.
Character Development & Performances
Dera (Blessing Obasi): Obasi delivers a grounded performance. Her portrayal of a woman caught between her integrity and her ambition is relatable. She masters the "micro-expressions" of panic during the interview and the dinner, making her character’s desperation palpable.
Danny: The character arc for Danny is arguably the most complex. He starts as the archetypal "unserious" man living a hedonistic lifestyle to escape pain. The chemistry between the leads is the film's strongest asset; their transition from mutual irritation to genuine affection is earned through shared moments rather than just plot convenience.
Supporting Cast: The role of Mrs. Fubara is played with a stiff, moralistic grace that serves the plot but lacks significant depth. Kenna, the brother, acts primarily as a plot device to trigger the climax, though his performance brings a needed energy to the film's final quarter.
Cinematography & Production Design
Visually, "CHOOSING YOU" is "TV-grade coverage" executed with high competence.
• Lighting: The film utilizes a bright, high-key lighting scheme common in Nigerian romantic dramas, which works well for the domestic interiors but lacks the moodier, more cinematic lighting that could have enhanced the darker themes of Danny’s grief.
• Composition: There is a heavy reliance on medium shots and close-ups, likely a result of shooting in confined residential locations. While this keeps the focus on the actors' performances, it occasionally feels claustrophobic.
• Production Design: The set design effectively communicates class. Dera’s apartment and the boss’s home are curated to look "aspirational" without being cartoonishly wealthy—a mistake many lower-budget productions make. The costume design is particularly noteworthy, using clothing to subtly indicate the characters' shifting states (from Dera's professional interview attire to her more vulnerable domestic looks).
Themes & Cultural Commentary
This is where the film offers its most significant contribution to the cultural conversation.
1. The Politics of the Ring: The film critiques the Nigerian societal pressure that validates a woman’s professional worth through her marital status. Dera’s lie is a survival tactic in a patriarchal corporate world.
2. Migration & "The Japa" Trauma: The subplot of Danny’s life in London and his subsequent "return" to Nigeria to hide from his responsibilities is a modern theme. It touches on the "failed" migration story—a narrative rarely explored in Nollywood, which usually focuses on the "success" of those abroad.
3. Integrity vs. Survival: The film asks whether a lie told for a "good" reason (securing a job) is justifiable. Mrs. Fubara’s reaction serves as the moral compass of the film, reminding the audience that "integrity is everything," even if the system itself is flawed.
Strengths & Weaknesses Summary
What Worked
• Lead Chemistry: The believable emotional tether between Dera and Danny.
• Cultural Authenticity: Accurate representation of Lagos life, dialogue, and societal pressures.
• Sound Design: A score that complements the emotional beats without being overbearingly "loud," a common Nollywood flaw.
• Pacing: The film moves at a brisk pace, keeping the audience engaged with the central ruse.
What Didn’t Work
• Heavy-handed Exposition: The climactic revelation of Danny’s past felt like a "data dump" rather than a narrative reveal.
• Antagonist Depth: Mrs. Fubara’s character is somewhat one-dimensional; she exists only to enforce the moral of the story.
• Resolution: The ending feels a bit too "neat" given the gravity of the secrets revealed.
The Verdict
"CHOOSING YOU" is a solid, highly watchable entry into the 2026 Nollywood canon. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel or push the boundaries of cinematic technique, it excels in its relatability and emotional honesty. It is a film that understands its audience—Nigerians at home and in the diaspora who enjoy seeing their lived realities (and their favorite tropes) reflected back at them with a polished veneer.
It is a "streaming gem"—perfect for weekend viewing, but perhaps lacking the technical scale for a major theatrical release. Its longevity lies in its central question: In a world that demands a ring for respect, how much of yourself are you willing to fake?
Rating: 6.8/10
Best Scene: The first dinner at Mrs. Fubara’s house. The tension between the "fake" performance of the couple and the "real" scrutiny of the boss is masterfully handled.
Most Powerful Line: "I choose you and I have no regrets whatsoever... Your daughter needs you." — Marking the shift from self-preservation to sacrificial love.
Industry Lesson: For filmmakers, "CHOOSING YOU" proves that chemistry between lead actors can save a film from trope-heavy scripts. However, it also serves as a reminder to "show, don't tell" when dealing with heavy character backstories to avoid losing the audience's emotional investment during the climax.
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