“When Love Strikes” is a Mixed Goal of Ambitions and Subplots

Directed by Adeoluwa Owu, the film attempts to explore themes of ambition, identity, and love, all within the high-pressure world of Nigerian football. While it sets out with lofty intentions, the final product feels more like a disjointed collection of ideas rather than a cohesive narrative.

The plot centers on Ibukun Saka (Natse Jemide), a young footballer torn between his passion for the game and the expectations of his family, especially his mother(grandmothe), Mrs. Saka (Bimbo Akintola).

With a retired scout, Nnamdi Okeke (Zubby Michael), rooting for Ibukun’s success, and his romance with Ngozi (Shine Rosman) simmering in the background, the story struggles to find its focus. Subplots, such as Ibukun’s sister (mother)Tinuke’s (Osas Ighodaro) romantic entanglement, further dilute the main narrative.

Despite its title, “When Love Strikes” doesn’t strike much in the way of romance. The relationship between Ibukun and Ngozi is treated as an afterthought, and even the familial love that serves as the film’s backbone is often overshadowed by the scattered storylines. For a movie promoted as a sports drama, the football sequences, though visually polished, lack the gripping intensity to carry the story forward.

Bimbo Akintola’s portrayal of a conflicted mother is one of the film’s highlights, capturing the nuances of parental sacrifice and unspoken fears. Natse Jemide as Ibukun delivers a decent performance but is let down by a script that doesn’t delve deeply enough into his emotional journey. Osas Ighodaro stands out in her role as Tinuke, bringing complexity to a character that feels more grounded than others.

Technically, the film has its moments. The cinematography by Barnabas Emordi is commendable, especially in the football scenes, which feature sharp visuals and dynamic angles. The Afrobeat-infused soundtrack adds vibrancy but isn’t enough to compensate for the uneven pacing and occasionally jarring editing.

What “When Love Strikes” tries to accomplish—a mix of sports, family, and romance—is reminiscent of Uche Jombo’s “Onye Egwu”. However, where “Onye Egwu” used its storylines to create  a bit of tension and coherence, “When Love Strikes” struggles under the weight of its scattered ambitions. It sets up multiple arcs but fails to bring them to a satisfying resolution, leaving viewers uncertain about the film’s ultimate purpose.

The title itself feels misaligned with the story. Love didn’t strike—not romantically, nor emotionally—and it’s unclear what the film wants audiences to take away from its mixed pot of ideas. While it hints at powerful themes like familial expectations and societal pressures, it never fully commits to any of them, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.

“When Love Strikes” is a patchwork of ideas that never quite comes together, making its title more confusing than meaningful.

Release date: theatrical release; September 13, Streaming Platform Release; December 5,2024

Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes and 35 seconds

Streaming Service: Prime Video

Directed by: AdeOluwa Owu

Cast: Natse Jemide, Ademola Adedoyin, Jimmie Akinsola, Bimbo Akintola, Tayo Arimoro, Osas Ighodaro, Chuks Joseph, Zubby Michael, and Vine Olugu