In recent times, faith has not been a popular theme explored in Nigerian films, but “The Wait” is a faith-based movie that preaches the morals of faith: patience and hope. It is a true reflection on the current issue of fertility, but surprisingly, public interest somehow ignores admiration for the theme. There are, of course, films like ‘God Calling’, ‘The Man of God‘, and ‘The Mount Zion Movies’, all of which resonate with audiences. However, when looking at the overall proportion of films that are based on faith as opposed to films of other genres, the former has remained in the minority, and audiences are primarily interested in drama, romance, comedy, adventures, crime, and thrillers.
“The Wait”, directed by Fiyin Gambo and Yemi Morafa, is an attempt by Nollywood to expose the deep intricacies of many difficulties people encounter from societal pressures while waiting for children in their homes.
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The lead acts, Nse Ikpe Etim, Deyemi Okanlawon, Jimmy Odukoya, Ini Dima-Okojie, Meg Otanwa, Chimezie Imo, and Aisha Sanni-Shittu, professionally exhibit their roles in the movie is based on Yewande Zaccheaus’s faith-based book “God’s Waiting Room”. Since its release in the theatres on April 30, 2021, and on Netflix on January 13, 2023, the movie has proven to potentially ignite our taste in faith-based movies.
The emotional movie is originally about a couple who are waiting on God to give them children. However, it simultaneously follows the lives of two couples: one couple that has had multiple miscarriages, which her situation is attached to her lack of faith in God, and the other couple who has never had a child and is under all kinds of pressure. They’re connected together by a gynaecologist who is waiting for a life partner.
Visually, the movie is candy but the lighting is bad and the plot seems to solve only internal conflicts. The actors did a good job portraying their characters, but the story seems jumbled — you won’t notice the transition to the back stories unless you are paying close and unflinching attention.
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The movie tries to convey to us, through Dr Nara’s waiting room, that you need people who are in your shoes to understand what you’re going through. It also explains the complications behind miscarriages or infertility. The movie offers surrogacy, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and adoption as alternatives for the “waiting”. Additionally, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is mentioned as one of the causes of infertility. A hysterectomy is also provided as a solution for a woman with excessive bleeding whose husband is bent on having a male child.
Generally for a movie with 121 minutes of stream time, “The Wait” ends in a dash. This indicates that it travels in circles for some time. The film sharpens hope and proposes “faith” as a recommendation for those who are also “waiting”. It is not a bad one.
