Before Valentine's

Summary

The day before Valentine's day, Salon co-workers Chika(Bolaji Ogunmola), Tamara(Meg Otanwa), Philo(Ben Touitou), and Sugar(Uche Montana) work together. As they tend to their clients, they also tend to their problems, family and relationship-wise. They discuss several ideals, expectations, relationship statuses, and more as each issue unfolds.

These expectations are; self-inflicted, in relationships, for people, in society, and for Valentine's Day. There are expectations of needing attention, having too much attention, and not knowing how to give attention exists as well. These are depicted in the different kinds of love. We see loving relationships with the family, friendships, self-love, and partnership.

These relationships are often characterized by Valentine's day activities which could include; an affectionate partner, an unaffectionate partner (at least in the stereotypical ways-PDA, gifts, etc.), cheating (side-chick/side-man), Surprises (no matter where it meets the scale such as surprise flowers or a surprise trip), Galentine's, people sending themselves gifts, etc. The movie ends amicably by showing the sharing of love and togetherness on Valentine's day.

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Takeaway

"Like, we women always put so much pressure on the guys for this one day, and it's ridiculous"-Ama(Venita Akpofure). "I mean, but still, you know, we still need to put a bit of pressure on them. You know, just so they rise to the occasion. Otherwise, they just really relax, get comfortable, you know, knowing that they have pinned the girl." - Tamara.

This comes after the vendor left. He brought up the topic of Valentine's day and gender roles as he said to a client of the salon, "I know you must have bought a handkerchief, roll-on, and boxers for your guy tomorrow. Then you'll now be expecting him to gift you designer bags or iPhone Pro max or whatever."

The expectations have drastic differences that are called into question for reciprocity in a relationship by appreciating your partner and acknowledging their emotions. The gifts gotten are also compared to other gifts and diminishing the value of the moment and gift. Sugar compared her flowers to Tamara's and even threw them on the floor despite her initial excitement.

"Now, I know that a man is not the size of his body or the way he walks, or the way he talks, or the sound of his voice. It's how big his heart is."- Vero Love (Inem King) says to Philo, fully accepting him. Philo is seen as more effeminate than most men, and his girlfriend he met online had her friends telling her different things, which made her avoid him. However, she draws the line with her friends as she decided to accept and love him fully. Philo stated that men are not a monolith as emotionless robots because there are different types of heterosexual men. This is a certain alternative to see as opposed to the Sabrina and Calvin characters from Sistas on BET.

Side-note

They also focus on the characters living fake lives and having different perceptions.

Faves

Philo (Ben Touitou), Tamara (Meg Otanwa), Ama(Venita Akpofure), and Robert(Baaj Adebule).

This was originally written in my "Valentine's Day and Some Movies" write-up.

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