The Return of Jenifa

Director: Muyudeen Ayinde

CAST: Funke Akindele, Eniola Badmus, Yinka Quadri, Denrele Edun, Antar Laniyan and Eldee

“The Return of Jenifa” is a sequel to the movie “Jenifa” that revolves around the life a young village girl Jenifa (Funke Akindele) who wants to belong to the society of the ‘big girls’ at all costs. She registers to be a part of a dancing competition but when she is asked to undergo an HIV test as part of the requirements for entry into the competition, she flees. She is completely unsure of her status as a result of her past exploits. She is therefore forced to withdraw from the society and life she once led. Jenifa is evasive and dreads the determination of her status. She relocates back to the village but it does not stop her from being crazy self. Her rivalry with Gbogbo Bigz Gals (Eniola Badmus) continues as they all struggle to be the centre of attraction amongst their peers in the village.

After so much drama, trial and error, Jenifa learns that life is not all about being a big girl without values as there is more to this life than attaining wealth, class and status.

The movie is a sequel to the movie “Jenifa” and resolves the unanswered questions that engulfed Jenifa’s quest to stardom. The heroine continues her endless search and would do anything to belong and achieve that elusive “Bigz Girlz” status.

Although the movie seemed like there was no story, the sequence of events are thrilling and hilarious, just like any good comedy should be. However, it is worthy of note that there were a series of product placements and advertisement in the movie that may have ruined an otherwise pleasurable experience as they dragged the plot along. For instance, the governor Fashola endorsements, Globacom adverts and Close Up adverts, among others, were uncalled for. There should have been a more subtle way of appreciating the sponsors of the movie.

The heroine must be commended for interpreting her role effortlessly and it seems like this is the part she was born to play. She brings on the character so strongly and viewers always want to see her in all the scenes. The movie seems solely about her as she makes every scene come alive. She moves from one hilarious escapade to the other in her quest to become a ‘bigz girl.’

There are guest appearances from celebrities like Eldee, Wizkid, Kaffy, Naeto C, late CD John, Helen Paul, among others, which certainly added glamour to the movie.

The picture quality of the movie is however not so strong as some scenes look dark due to poor lightning. The sound track also fluctuates between high and low and some scenes were noisy and lengthy.

The movie in its totality is a must watch. It is entertaining, hilarious and refreshing and would definitely make you laugh out loud. It strives to teach a lesson to young ladies, especially those who engage in illicit and immoral acts in order to achieve their aim at all costs.

The movie is rated 13 and is dedicated to the memory of one of the stars in the movie, the late comedian CD John.

Filed Under: Movie Review