“Dinner”: A Feast of Secrets, Chaos, and Bittersweet Relationships

“Dinner” revolves around childhood friends, Ade (Enyinma Nwigwe) and Mike (Okey Uzoeshi), who gather for dinner with their respective partners, Lola (Kehinde Bankole) and Diane (Keira Hewatch). The evening takes a tumultuous turn with the inclusion of Richie (Deyemi Okanlawon), Ade’s troublesome friend, uncovering hidden secrets and stirring the waters of their relationships.

The film effectively captures the essence of managing chaos, with the narrative skillfully handled by Jituboh. However, as the plot thickens, certain elements become known, raising questions about the plausibility of the characters’ actions and the depth of their connections.

While the film aesthetically pleases the eyes with its visual composition, the plausibility of certain events comes into question. The sudden revelation of secrets and the characters’ reactions, particularly Ade’s surprise at Diane’s presence, raises eyebrows about the authenticity of their relationships. The film touches upon the notion that some conflicts could have been avoided through open communication, questioning the quality and longevity of the depicted unions.

The exploration of societal double standards, highlighted through Ade’s reactions, provides a thought-provoking layer. However, the film’s reliance on Adetunde George Snr (Richard Mofe- Damijo) to explicitly convey this message feels like a narrative shortcut. The film succeeds in shedding light on the societal expectations placed on women but misses an opportunity to weave this commentary more naturally into the plot.

Despite these narrative hiccups, “Dinner” stands as a decently composed film visually. The cinematography captures the emotional nuances of the characters, immersing the audience in the unfolding drama. The musical score occasionally complements the visuals, contributing to the film’s overall aesthetic appeal.

As “Dinner” goes through the one million things that could go wrong between couples, it introduces Richie as the harbinger of pessimism. The film, unfortunately, struggles to adequately depict what a healthy, non-secretive relationship looks like without external interventions. The brevity of these glimpses into functional relationships leaves the audience craving more exploration of optimistic dynamics.

The cast, led by Deyemi Okanlawon’s effortless portrayal of Richie, contributes significantly to the film’s watchability. Each actor passionately interprets their role, with Uzoeshi, Bankole, Nwigwe, and Hewatch delivering believable performances that anchor the film’s emotional core.

“Dinner” encounters challenges in its dialogue and pacing. Some scenes and conversations, though entertaining, feel unnecessarily prolonged, impacting the overall pacing. The film occasionally delves into clichés and predictable lines, especially in moments like the fight scene in the pool. The dialogues lack exceptional depth, relying on repetitive phrases that risk monotony.

Despite its faults, “Dinner” manages to offer an entertaining experience. It doesn’t aspire to be a profound exploration of relationships but aims to make the audience laugh and be entertained. Jituboh’s debut feature film showcases potential, and it successfully serves its purpose as a breezy, technically sound watch.

“Dinner” debuted on Netflix on January 24, 2024, but was initially released to the Cinemas in 2016.

Release Date:  January 25, 2024

Runtime:  1 hour, 8 minutes, and 53 seconds

Streaming Service:  Netflix

Director: Jay Franklyn Jituboh

Cast: Deyemi Okanlawon, Ireti Doyle, Richard Mode Damijo, Enyinma Nwigwe, Okey Uzoeshi, Keira Hewatch, and Kehinde Bankole