In the world of Nollywood romantic comedies, we’ve seen our fair share of clichés, but “Badboys and Bridesmaids” takes the cake in this department. The film’s premise had the potential to breathe fresh life into the genre, but it ultimately fell short of delivering the captivating and innovative experience for which we had hoped.
“Badboys and Bridesmaids” Treads Familiar Ground with a Faltering Step
BY Fareedat Taofeeq
November 11, 2023
11:27 pm
At its core, “Badboys and Bridesmaids” revolves around the upcoming wedding of Jola (Idia Aisen), who has admirably upheld her vow of abstinence until marriage. Surrounded by her three friends, all of whom share the same commitment, her wedding day should be a celebration of love and enduring friendship. However, the groom’s playboy friends (Ademola Adedoyin, Elozonam Ogbolu, and Jidekene Achufusi) decide to place a bet on the women’s commitment to their pact, thereby setting in motion a series of events that should be ripe for comedic potential.
Seyi Babatope, the director behind films like “Sanitation Day” and “When Love Happens,” takes the helm in “Badboys and Bridesmaids.” The film attempts to draw in audiences with a cast of striking faces and popular personalities, which is a formula often utilized for guaranteed box office success. But despite its surface appeal, the film’s acting falls flat, failing to engage viewers emotionally. Cinematographically speaking, the film doesn’t break any new ground, and it ends up looking like a mere attempt to cash in on a well-worn formula.
Where “Badboys and Bridesmaids” truly falters is in its script and execution. It unabashedly relies on an overdose of cliché plot points, offering little in the way of originality. The narrative stumbles down a predictable path, lacking the depth and nuance needed to breathe life into the story. It feels as though an idealistic teenager wrote the script, relying heavily on immature humor and superficial character interactions.
A significant drawback in the film is its fixation on sex without providing a mature and thoughtful perspective. The characters and their interactions come across as amateurish, leaving much to be desired in terms of character development and storytelling. The film had an opportunity to explore themes of friendship, commitment, and the evolving dynamics of relationships, but it squanders this potential with its shallow approach.
It’s regrettable to see a promising premise go to waste in “Badboys and Bridesmaids.” The film fails to offer a fresh perspective or to break free from the constraints of the genre’s clichés. Instead of being a breath of fresh air, it feels more like a stale rendition of familiar themes, leaving viewers with a sense of déjà vu.
One noteworthy aspect of the film, though, is its portrayal of themes like friendship, commitment, and the evolving dynamics of relationships. It briefly touches upon these elements, reminding us of the enduring power of childhood promises and the challenges of keeping them. These themes add layers of depth to the story and provide moments of emotional resonance.
As Nollywood continues to evolve and explore new cinematic territories, “Badboys and Bridesmaids” stands as a missed opportunity. It struggles to meet international narrative standards, leaving the audience wanting more. While it may still be of interest to fans of Nigerian romantic drama, it’s essential to approach this film with the understanding that it falls short of being the refreshing take the genre deserves.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, “Badboys and Bridesmaids” offers a few moments of lighthearted entertainment. The chemistry between some of the cast members, albeit inconsistent, manages to shine through in certain scenes. The music selection and occasional well-timed humor provide small pockets of enjoyment. However, these glimmers of hope are not enough to redeem the film from its overall lackluster execution.
In a cinematic landscape filled with both hits and misses, “Badboys and Bridesmaids” fits somewhere in the middle. While it doesn’t fully escape the clichés of the genre, it offers a lighthearted and entertaining take on the enduring power of friendship and love. It may not be a groundbreaking addition to Nollywood’s repertoire, but it certainly has its moments of charm that make it worth considering.
“Badboys and Bridesmaids” premiered in 2021 and is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 42 seconds
Release Date: October 8, 2021 (Cinematic Release); November 3, 2023 (Prime Video)
Streaming service: Prime Video
Director: Seyi Babatope
Cast: Rosemary Abazi, Jide Kene Achufusi, Ademola Adedoyin, Idia Aisien, Jimmie Akinsola, Mai Atafo, Elozoma, and Nengi Rebecca Hampson
TNR Scorecard:
2/5
1 thought on ““Badboys and Bridesmaids” Treads Familiar Ground with a Faltering Step”
Honestly, One of the issues i have with Seyi Babatope films is that it would have a well rounded cast a decent idea but the execution is where everything falls apart. I guess the selling point for most of his movie is the cast. In this case its the big brother naija cast that is the selling point here and not the movie itself. Most of the audience came to see their favourite BBN stars and not the movie.