Married but Living Single

Married but Living Single is a 2012 Nigerian romantic drama film, directed by Tunde Olaoye and starring Funke Akindele, Joseph Benjamin, Joke Silva, Tina Mba, Kiki Omeili and Femi Brainard.[3][4][5][6][7] The film was inspired by a book of the same name by Pastor Femi Faseru of KICC Lagos[8] and tells the story of Kate (Funke Akindele), a career driven woman who's married to an entrepreneur, Mike (Joseph Benjamin). Mike is diagnosed with lung cancer; Kate has to choose to either take a break from work to be with her husband while he recuperates from his surgery or stay dedicated to her company which now stands a big chance of winning an important contract with a big telecommunication company.

Married but Living Single
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTunde Olaoye
Screenplay byJovi Babs
Tunde Olaoye
Based onMarried but Living Single
by Femi Faseru
Produced byKalejaiye Paul
Starring
CinematographyMoruf Fadairo
Edited byShola Ayorinde
Seyi-Ola Emmanuel
Music bySanjo Adegoke
Production
company
Indelible Mark Media
Release date
  • 3 June 2012 (2012-06-03)
CountryNigeria
LanguageEnglish
Budget₦30 million (est)[1]
Box office₦9,900,000[2]

Cast

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  • Funke Akindele as Kate
  • Joseph Benjamin as Mike
  • Joke Silva as Mrs. Ibru / Kate's boss
  • Tina Mba as Pastor
  • Kiki Omeili as Titi
  • Femi Brainard as Ossai
  • Kalejaiye Paul as Patrick
  • Adeola Faseyi as Mabel
  • Yemi Remi as Justice Ade
  • Kubra Emokpaire as Lola
  • Eniloa Ogunmefun as Dorothy
  • Frances Okeke as Maureen
  • Wale Afolayan as Samuel
  • Adebayo Davies as Steven
  • Age Anthony as Grace

Release

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The official trailer for the film was released on 20 February 2012, along with some behind-the-scenes promotional photos.[9][10][11] It premiered at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos on 3 June 2012;[12][13][14] the event had Lagos State Deputy Governor: Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire in attendance.[15] The five cinema halls used for screening at the premiere was reportedly packed.[15] It was initially released in selected cinemas on 5 June 2012.[12] It had its overseas premiere at the Greenwich Odeon Cinema, London on 5 October 2012.[16][17] It was also screened in Scotland, a non-traditional market.[18]

Reception

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Critical reception

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The film received generally negative to mixed reviews. Adedayo Odulaja of Daily Independent concludes: "While Married but Living Single is a movie that everyone can easily relate to, the character of Mike can be said to have taken too much attention. The happily-ever-after factor in the tale is another that is clearly an exaggerated issue in this movie. Aside those areas that might not sit well with those discerning enough to dwell on them, Married but Living Single is deserving enough of a view".[19] Augusta Okon of 9aijabooksandmovies comments: "Married but Living Single struggles to bring to life the ideals intended by the author. Although its adaptation is commendable, distinguishing it from those in the sea of original works, the stereotyped storyline, lack lustre performance, and a couple of subplots insults our sensibilities. The movie lacks depth and just hobbles to the finish line, only by the acting dexterity of the two leads. It’s a mishmash, ordinary, wanna be nice movie".[20] Ada Ude of Connect Nigeria comments: "The satiric plot of this movie touches on all aspects; the family—relationship, trust, neglect, and emotional and physical abuse, as are evident in our daily living. The plot was excellent, and they had a good story which every young upwardly mobile couple in present day Nigeria should be conscious about. however, more attention should have been given to the many tiny little details in the movie, for a better execution of a wonderful story. Also, Akindele and Joseph just didn’t have any sparks on screen".[21] Myne Whitman faults the portrayal of women in the film, noting it as being biased.[22]

Box office

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The film opened strongly and continued on average receipts, peaking at number three in West African cinemas.[15]

Accolades

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The film was nominated in five categories at the 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards, including "Movie of the Year", "Director of the Year", "Best Lead Actress in an English Film" for Akindele, and "Child actress of the year" for Deola Faseyi; Benjamin won the award for "Best Lead Actor in an English Film". Faseyi was again nominated for "Best Child Actor" at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards.

Complete list of Awards
Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
Best of Nollywood Magazine
2012 Best of Nollywood Awards[23]
Movie of the Year Tunde Laoye Nominated
Director of the Year Tunde Laoye Nominated
Best Lead Actress in an English Film Funke Akindele Nominated
Best Lead Actor in an English Film Joseph Benjamin Won
Child actress of the year Deola Faseyi Nominated
Nollywood Movies Network
2013 Nollywood Movies Awards[24]
Best Child Actor Adeola Faseyi Nominated
17th African Film Awards[25] Best Actress in a Supporting Role (English Film) Kiki Omeili Won

Home media

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The film premiered on VOD on 26 April 2013 via Distrify.[26] It was released on DVD on 29 August 2013.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "10 HIGHEST GROSSING NIGERIAN MOVIES". Encomium. Encomium Magazine. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Funke Akindele: The Richest Nollywood Actress". Ride Natty Ride. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Joke Silva, Joseph Benjamin and Funke Akindele in Married But Living Single". ONTV. 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  4. ^ Moses, Chika (28 February 2012). "Funke Akindele & Joseph Benjamin are "Married but Living Single"… photos and video!". Pilot Africa. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Review: Married but Living Single". Pamela Stitch. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Funke Akindele gets married in "Married but living single"". Channels. Channels Television. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  7. ^ Nwakwo, Uzoma (22 October 2012). "Nigeria Movie Married But Living Single". Nigeria Business Pages. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  8. ^ "'Married But Living Single' Premieres June 3". Nollywood Mindspace. Nollywood By Mndspace. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  9. ^ Okiche, Wilfred (2 March 2012). "Movie trailer: Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin Tango in 'Married but Living Single'". YNaija. YNaija!. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  10. ^ Aiki, Damilare (27 April 2012). "Executive Producer of "Married but Living Single" Speaks to Toolz on his Upcoming Movie". Bella Naija. bellanaija.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  11. ^ Aiki, Damilare (28 February 2012). "Funke Akindele & Joseph Benjamin are "Married" – in new movie – "Married but Living Single" starring Joke Silva, Tina Mba, Femi Brainard & More – Photos & Trailer". Bella Naija. bellanaija.com. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Married But Living Single To Premiere On Sunday". PM News Nigeria. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  13. ^ Erin (26 September 2012). "'Married But Living Single' Movie Premiere Photos". African Seer. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Married but Living Single - African movie". Fienipa. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  15. ^ a b c Lasisi, Akeem (6 July 2012). "Married but Living Single's journey to cinema". Punch Newspaper. Punch NG. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  16. ^ "The London Premiere of 'MARRIED BUT LIVING SINGLE' the Movie". Naija Life. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  17. ^ Odunowo, Bunmi (1 March 2012). "Funke Akindele Marries Joseph Benjamin in new movie "Married but Living Single"". Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  18. ^ "MARRIED BUT LIVING SINGLE MOVIE SCREENING IN ABERDEEN". Trendy PR. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  19. ^ Odulaja, Adedayo (June 2012). "Tale of battery and corporate slavery in Married But Living Single". Independent Newspaper. Daily Independent NG. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ^ Okon, Augusta (19 May 2013). "Married But Living Single: Really?". 9aijabooksandmovies. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  21. ^ Ude, Ada (8 June 2012). "Movie Review: Married But Living Single". Connect Nigeria. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  22. ^ Whitman, Myne (March 2012). "Nollywood and Career Women - Married But Living Single". Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Best of Nollywood Awards list of Nominees". Nollywood Mindspace. Nollywood by Mindspace. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  24. ^ "OC Ukeje, Gabriel Afolayan, Funke Akindele, Imeh Bishop Udoh lead Nominees for Nollywood Movies Awards". Nigeria Entertainment Today. The NET NG. September 2013. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  25. ^ Opurum, Nkechi (23 October 2012). "Tonto Dikeh, Kiki Omeili Win Afro-Hollywood Awards". Daily Times Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  26. ^ "MARRIED BUT LIVING SINGLE RELEASED ONLINE TODAY - DISTRIFY.COM". Nollywood Uncut. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  27. ^ "Married but living single hits Nigerian today". The Sun Newspaper. SunNewsOnline. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
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