- Despite disapproval from loved ones, Ada and Jean's relationship survives the twists and turns of college. But with graduation right around the corner, a difficult decision has to be made. Experience a whirlwind journey of friendship and blossoming love through a blend of Haitian and Nigerian traditions.—Aly Laveaux & Obianuju Sandra Madueke Laveaux
- UNEXPECTED LOVE (synopsis)
TAGLINE When your best friend falls in love with your twin brother, anything can happen.
LOGLINE While attending the same university, a girl's twin brother falls in love with her best friend, not knowing that in her cultural tradition she is expected to return home after college to choose a husband from her tribe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
"Unexpected Love" is a ROMANTIC COMEDY about love, family, romance, and marriage - all of which must traverse international cultural traditions and norms. In our movie, the cultural clash is between a young HAITIAN MAN and the young NIGERIAN WOMAN who fall in love with while away at college. However, the Nigerian woman is expected to choose her betrothed from a pool of approved Nigerian suitors in her home country after college. This creates a dilemma. "Unexpected Love" is also about FIRST LOVE - which is often the sweetest and the bitterest - set in an American university campus. What makes the storyline so endearing and original is that we see the brother, his twin sister and his girlfriend as they matriculate and thrive in a very different culture that abounds with educational and creative opportunities for them. From the uncertainty of freshman year through senior year and graduation, we watch the love story unfold with comical scenarios and tender first moments.
SUMMARY OF THE PROPERTY
OPEN ON- CAP-HAITIEN, HAITI at an orphanage as UNCLE DANIEL (55) - a kindly man who makes the institution a family and thinks of all his charges as kin - receives the mail. In it are college letters addressed to his two prize orphans, twins MARIE and JEAN BAPTISTE (18) - both good-looking and very intelligent. They are college-bound hoping to get into the school of their dreams. Fate has other plans for them. Jean is accepted to Boston University, Marie's dream school. Marie is accepted to Miami University, Jean's dream school. The twins have been rejected by their first-choice colleges. Both, however, are accepted at Fort Lauderdale International University- their safety school. Deciding to go to school together, Jean and Marie change their plans and enroll there. At FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Jean and Marie quickly must adapt to the fast pace and grueling hours of studying that is a major part of college life. The meager amount of money they have for living expenses is quickly gone and both have to get jobs. Marie finds employment at the college library. Jean lands a job in the STUDENT UNION LOUNGE as a busboy. But it's a great job for him because he gets to be close to the music bands that perform there. Even though he is a PRE-MED major, Jean dreams of life as a musician. It isn't long before his knowledge of music and instruments propels him to another position as SOUND PERSON for one of the bands. From there his musical talent is recognized and he becomes front man for the band, adding a Caribbean flavor to their soft rock style. Meanwhile, Marie is becoming fast friends with her dorm roommate ADA IKE (18) - an artistic and soulful beauty from Nigeria. Ada was also accepted (but waitlisted) to Harvard. She decides to go to her mother's alma mater Fort Lauderdale International University, because her brother NNAMDI IKE - (20) hard-working, likable - attends the school as a legacy. ENGR IKE - (40) accomplished, a perfectionist who excels at everything she does - is quietly happy her daughter is going to her old school. However, Ada's father CHIEF IKE - (40s) tough, an achiever, opinionated - can't believe Ada is turning down Harvard to go to Florida. Chief (Ike) is also down on her brother because of trouble he had gotten into when he was younger, even though Nnamdi has been spending every moment since trying to turn his life around. At school, Marie and Ada become best friends, sharing the hardships of college life, as well as, all their secrets and dreams. Ada, whose family is well off, doesn't have to work while at school. Marie, who has little money, has to work and tutor in addition to studying and attending classes. When Jean convinces his sister Marie to sing duet with him and his group in a BATTLE OF THE BANDS contest, he meets Ada, who attends to support her best friend. Jean and his sister shine on stage and win the competition. Jean's band gives the prize money to Marie so she doesn't have to work so much. However, something more eventful has happened. Jean and Ada feel an emotional attraction to one another from the very first moment they meet. It isn't long before the romantic relationship between the two of them is very strong and they are boyfriend and girlfriend. Secretly Marie and Nnamdi are worried someone will get hurt. At the same time, Jean's band is doing more and more gigs. The group's popularity is growing and by Jean's senior year, the band is noticed by a record label. Jean starts missing classes and is close to giving up on school to focus on music. It's Ada who convinces him to stick it out and graduate because he's so close to finishing. Jean listens to his girlfriend. But Ada has worries of her own. She is truly in love with Jean. But she knows that her mother and father, according to the customs of their country, expect Ada to choose a future husband from among the ambitious young men in her country.
During senior year, Jean and his band are offered a record contract by a music label. They are to begin a Miami tour. If that goes well, the company will plan for a world tour for them. Jean plans to propose to Ada, using his late mother's ring. He wants Ada to come with him on tour. But Ada plans to start graduate school shortly after graduation. Ada is frustrated and says they should break-up before someone's heart is broken. They go their separate ways.
But with a broken heart and will to still win the love of his life, Jean makes a sacrifice that he hopes will turn things around.
END
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content