When I saw the face of Charles Inojie I was a bit apprehensive about the quality of this movie but just went along when I saw the rest of the cast like Kenneth Okolie, O.C. Ukeje and Zainab Balogu – at least I have never seen them in sophomoric comedy so I was hopeful. Happy I went ahead it was well worth the 90 minutes spent watching.
It is one of those feel-good movies chick flick movies and yes they live happily ever after. Watch The Royal Hibiscus Hotel on Amazon prime free, YouTube, and Netflix – this producer did a good job marketing. He also got it on the big screen and several other small streaming platforms.
The Story
When things do not work out for her in London, Ope an exacting modern chef takes up her parents invite to return back home. She has plans to revamp the kitchen, improve the menu and restore the hotel to its former glory locally and internationally. her hopes and dreams are further ignited when she catches the eye of a gorgeous businessman staying at the hotel. But soon enough she learns she is disillusioned when she learns her parents have decided to sell the hotel to the very young man she has come to adore or is she?
There are a few tacky jokes that add to the storyline. All and all, though simple the script is good.
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The Actors
I think the cast does an amazing job. Zainab’s character is quite believable given the frustrations African’s go through. I liked that the message was put across without overextending it e.g. the fact that some people will imagine that because you are African or from the same country with another African that you know them.
My favorite moments were the conversations between Obe and Deji, Obe, and her friend Esther as well as her parents Chief Segun Adeniyi and Rose Adeniyi. These were funny and sometimes outright hilarious. As usual, Charles Inoyi’s character was annoying and so was the receptionist acted by Kemi.
The Cast
Akah Nnani – Tobem
Braik Elijah – Alain Belrose
Bucci Franklin – Bell Boy
Charles Inojie – Chef
Deyemi Okanlawon – Martin
Elijah Braik – Alain Belrose
Emmanuel Ilemobayo – Musa
Ini Dima Okojie – Joyce (as Dima-Okojie)
Jide Kosoko – Chief Segun Adeniyi
Joke Silva – Augustina
Karibi Fubara – Kelechi
Kemi Lala Akindoju – Chika
Kenneth Okolie – Deji
Koye Kekere Ekun – Mike T
Laura Janes – Sharon
Lota Chukwu – Seyi
Maziar Javidan – Waiter
Nicholas Anscombe – Ronald Rogers
O.C. Ukeje – Felix
Olu Jacobs – Richard
Paul Jeffery – Passport check-in clerk
Pearl Waturuocha – Mrs. Hickenlooper
Philippe Roche – Charles
Rachel Oniga – Rose Adeniyi
Ray Neville – Diner
Reece Putinas – Christopher
Rene Costa – Diner
Sam Suni – Holidaymaker (Extra)
Toni Tones – Esther
Zainab Balogun – Ope
Technical Construction
I think the camera angles, lighting especially in the romantic scenes were great. The variety of music was good and not overwhelming. On product design, I loved the overall look of the hotel, the clothes – except Obe’s outfit when she had a picnic with Felix. That did not look good on her at all.
Conclusion
The Directing was great on this as with a lot of Ishaya Bakos work. All aspects of the movie come together beautifully.
Rating
I give this movie a 7/10 it was really good though no outstanding.
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