• ‘What about us?’ is a film that explores the complexities of marriage and temptation 
• The plot also offers answers on how to navigate temptation, particularly through communication 
• The Kayode Kasum-directed movie shines with exceptional acting and direction 

With remote jobs, ample free time to spend together, sharing a lot in common and then next-door neighbours, what are the odds that Zainab and David can resist the urge to not fall for each other? 

What about us? explores the complexities of marriage, the temptations couples face, and how they navigate turbulent marriage phases. Zainab, played by Folu Storms, struggles with an emotionally and physically absent husband, Jaiye, played by Uzor Arukwe, who is torn between duty and desire. 

The film, released on July 12, explored marital strife and the temptations that sneak into the cracked walls against the backdrop of a typical Lagos, Nigeria. Kayode Kasum’s skill and the screenplay's seamless storytelling brought the direction to life.

‘What about us?’ produced by Emmanuel Iren, the founder of Celebration Church International, is one of such stories that follows a simple plot yet unearths deep themes of marriage through the lens of a couple. It is relatable to watch as the events unfold. The story creates a reflective moment for the audience as well. 

Starring Uzor Arukwe, Kunle Remi, Seyi Awolowo, Teni Aladese, Folu Storms, Atlanta Bridget Johnson and others, the plot presents Jaiye as a workaholic, who juggles his attention on a business call and being present on his son's birthday. Zainab seems unhappy and confronts him later but it leads to an unresolved argument. 

Suddenly, they discover they have an intriguing new neighbour, David, played by Kunle Remi. One day, David appears at Zainab’s door with a courtesy treat of banana bread he baked. They start to get along, and through conversations, Zainab and David discover that they have a lot in common. 

Zainab and her husband, Jaiye, keep malice for three weeks after she confronts him about his absenteeism and workaholic habits. She tells her friend, Imade, played by Teni Aladese, but Imade gets angry and tells her to fix issues with her husband or she will cut ties with her. With Imade not reachable and her husband engrossed in his work, Zainab has more time to spend with David, the new neighbour. The audience is left to wonder what the outcome will be. If Zainab will fall for the temptation or save her marriage in the end.

Jaiye and Zain’s acting performances as a couple navigating a rocky terrain in their relationship is one that is realistic and exceptional. They embody their roles with professionalism and detail. Kunle Remi as David also pulled up his best act as ‘the temptation’ that further complicated the couple's marital issues. These actors’ performances captured the emotional depth and multifaceted nature of their characters. 

Meanwhile, aside from these main characters, minor characters like Imade and Gbenro, played by Seyi Awolowo, amongst others, also contributed to driving the story forward. Imade's interactions with the couple helped to expand the perspective of the story and help the audience understand its central themes of marriage and temptation. 

What about us? is a thoughtful exploration of real issues in marriages and how far partners can be pushed to the edge of a relationship to fall into ‘unplanned’ temptation. The direction is apt and ensures that each is not meaningless but loaded with context and meaning. The pacing adds a balance to keep the audience engaged as it opens naturally to them. 

The cinematography is something worth commending. It is clear and colourful. Exploring a dominant blend of orange, red and green, the picture quality appears sophisticated and appealing for viewers. The lighting was suitable to convey each mood and emotion. The film, besides the main themes of marriage, temptation and faith, explored an array of subplots - trust, friendship, and passion, among others. However, the ability of the director to incorporate all of that into a concise and simple character-driven story is ingenious. It also achieves a perfect resolution without loose ends. 

Flaws? The only noticeable one is the typographical errors in the subtitles, which can be distracting for viewers who rely on them. Regardless, the production was carefully done to tighten all ends. It is a testament that no matter how cliché the plot seems, high-concept films will always stand out. 

10 must-watch movies based on real-life events

In an earlier report, TheRadar curated 10 must-watch movies based on real-life events. These films are made out of real experiences of people and situations that are not limited by time, place or genre. 

They include titles such as The Pursuit of Happiness, The Trial of Chicago 7, Hidden Figures, Hustlers, and On the Basis of Sex.