The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later is what it says it is— A perfect picture. Or, how else do we appreciate the location, the art, design and the yummy appeal this film gives to our eyes with every scene? The entire film is a stunning portrait that you just want to lick your screen. Yup.

The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later follows the lives of our three friends from the 2009 prequel, Aseye played by Jackie Appiah (now mother of five), Akasi played by Naa Ashorkor Mensah-Doku (with the “over romantic” husband) and Dede played by Lydia Forson (the single one now booed up).

The film starts off with a beautiful montage reminding us of the events from ten years ago and it introduces us to Akasi and Fela’s tenth wedding anniversary which Akasi finds too much. We are soon informed that Fela (Adjetey Anang) throws one every year.

Like every romantic film with the friendship theme, we follow the lives of these three women through their marriages, relationships and problems. Although, the title is The Perfect Picture, we know that there is no such thing as perfect and even Akasi admits this when she tells Dede that there is no such thing as a perfect man.

To that effect, we are introduced to every one of these women’s problems. From poor financial decisions, to childlessness, bedroom problems, case of the ex and the “next”, and the heaviest of all, a sex tape threatening to be leaked with a rape allegation. In no time, we see that nothing is really perfect and everything, no matter how good it looks on the surface, is flawed.

The different conflicts all sum up and are properly resolved at the end but this does not deny the fact that the film does get draggy somewhere in the middle. I mean, it’s nearly 150 minutes long. At some point, it feels like it just wants to go on that long for you to keep admiring the aesthetics. It’s however an interesting drag.

Our characters are easy to love and relate with and you root for them.

The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later is not a non-predictable film. I mean, it’s romance and family. There’s nothing to hide or create suspense over in this genre, so you know how it ends even before it begins but it still doesn’t stop you from diving in. You are captivated by the three women and their charming men. I mean, if I were Dede, I would be lovestruck by Sam (Richard Mofe Damijo) too.

Another icing on the cake is that unlike most sequels, you don’t need to see the prequel to catch up. The 2019 film makes a brilliant stand alone film.

The art and the beauty of the homes and offices aside, another thing that makes you smile as you see this film is the music. From the highlife performances to the soundtrack, your ears are pleased.

There is also the feminist approach to the film and the valuable lesson of not being afraid to own who you are, portrayed through Dede’s crisis.

In the end, The Picture Perfect: 10 Years Later is such a beauty to watch. There is only so much you can fault.

It’s your regular romantic drama with a touch of gold. Available to watch on Netflix.