Movie review: To Adaego with Love shows how love conquers past war horrors

To Adaego With Love is a Nollywood drama about love in a region that had just witnessed a brutal war that led to the loss of lives and property. The movie is set in the 70s, shortly after the Nigerian civil war, when Nigeria was trying to reconcile the Eastern region that had broken away to form the Biafran Republic.

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The romantic side of the movie involves a soldier and a female mathematics teacher who brave the odds of coming from rival ethnic groups to develop their affection for one another. How long will their relationship last amid tests by strange traditions and the wounds left behind by the war?

To Adaego With Love was directed by Nwamaka Chikezie and stars Adam Garba, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Chioma Chukwuka, Chisom Agoawuike, Demi Banwo, Onyeka Onwenu, Riyo David, Six Foot Plus, and Tonia Chukwurah, among others.

The Civil War

This move boldly delves into some issues that have been swept under the carpet since the war ended. For instance, it showcases the distrust the Igbo ethnic group has for the Nigerian army, which their forefathers warred against in the brutal war that lasted over three years. The movie also shows how love for all, regardless of past situations, can be tested and weakened by the same past that is ignored. This was evident when Adaego, portrayed by Chisom Agoawuike, encountered narrations detailing the horrors of the war. Despite seeing her father’s anger about the loss of his people to the war and her grandmother’s narration about horrors, Adaego still walked around unbothered or captured by a soldier’s love.

On the romantic side of the movie, the chemistry between Adaego and Major Balarabe, portrayed by Adam Garba, is a delight to see. The exchange of letters brought back a glimpse of what life was like before the advent of social media and fast messaging apps. The movie also offers insight into what today’s lovebirds are missing: meeting a lover under a tree by moonlight, unlike today, when such meetings are held at places where money is spent.

To Adaego with Love: Did the movie really look like the 70s?

This movie did well with its costumes, which depicted the period’s fashion without pushing too hard. However, the English accent didn’t sound like that of educated Nigerians at the time. Watching old Civil War clips showed Nigerians speaking English with a faint British accent. This, however, doesn’t take away from the movie. The colour grading did a good job of giving that nostalgic look. In the daytime scenes, the Gamma was set to 0, highlights were brought down, and shadows were a bit faded. This made our eyes feel like they were peeping into the past.

To Adaego With Love uses English as the main language, but Igbo is often spoken. It also centres on Igbo culture, offering insight into how deeply they were hurt and how difficult it was for them to trust the government’s reintegration programmes. One thing we dislike about Nollywood is the culture of pitching Igbo women to men of other ethnic groups. A Nollywood movie hardly goes without an Igbo girl getting married to a Yoruba guy or a Hausa guy. Why not an Igbo guy getting married to a girl from another ethnic group? It’s as if their girls are being pimped out to other ethnic groups. This is beginning to look like some social engineering.

To Adaego With Love gets a 6/10.