The Photograph Movie Review

The Photograph is one big fat juicy sappy, love story that hits all the right marks, it doesn’t miss a beat!

First off, the trailer of The Photograph was not great, because I thought, frankly, that Issa Rae looked out of place in such a serious drama—she even looked rather stiff and forced in the trailer, so that was a slight turnoff. Nevertheless, I vowed that I would see the movie to find out first-hand to see what the real deal was. And, I am so glad that I did.

Also, I found that a lot of moviegoers I spoke with were just as surprised as I was to see Issa Rae headlining such a serious drama, because we’ve all come to know and lover her as a great comedic talent first! Who knew she had such serious acting chops?

The Photograph was directed and written by Stella Meghie and produced by Will Packer. It stars Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield.

As the story goes, Issa Rae’s character, Mae Morton, is a museum curator in New York who has just learned of her mother’s death, who had kept her illness a secret. Mae’s mother turns out was well known photographer, portrayed really well by the beautiful actress Chante Adams. Mae was raised primarily by her stepfather and, after learning of her mother’s death, Mae travels back home to Louisiana to visit him and tie up loose ends.

Enter Lakeith Stanfield—who portrays a journalist, Michael Block, for a big publisher in New York. And wouldn’t you know it, Michael coincidentally is actually working on a story on Mae’s mother, The Photographer.

So, you already know, Mae and Michael eventually meet up and *boom**, there is an enormous attraction between the too, almost immediately.

Now, Mr. Journalist Michael seems to be a perfect match for Mae, however, he’s thrown off by how deep his feelings are for her in such a very short time, all in the midst of him having to make some life-changing decisions.

And Ladies, let me tell you, Lakeith Stanfield is sooo handsome in this role, that I completely forgot that he I just saw him a minute ago playing a mere low-key street lackey in the Uncut Gems movie! Lol.

Over dinner, Michael and Mae get to know each other better; they share their past tales of love, love lost, and career moves, and both seem to try really hard to keep a lid on this new thing, but it has an undeniable magnetic force, and somehow they both realize that this time around it might really be something special, especially after the “night of the thunderstorm and Al Green…”. Lord have mercy!

The soundtrack! The soundtrack! The soundtrack! Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Mos Def, Solange, Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, and more….!

Michael visits quite comical married brother Kyle, played by Milton “Lil Rel Howery” who easily steals the scene whenever he’s onscreen with Michael, as they share brotherly love and the usual banter back and forth with one another. Brother Kyle tries to advise Michael on relationships, which is really a joke, because it’s hard for anyone to take this guy serious because he is just too funny—yeah, a natural comic he really is. Matter of fact, you will definitely remember him as that same funny guy in the film “Get Out”!

Mae’s plate is getting full as she tries to come to terms and deal with the loss of her mother, and has just so many unanswered questions about their relationship, whilst also dealing double time trying to realize this new relationship with Michael and figure that out. And, then Michael has his issues too, mainly regarding his current ambitions to further his career to go and work abroad at a large London news outfit.

Mae’s mother has left her a lot to grapple with—two lengthy letters—one for Mae and one for her father, down in Louisiana, along with a few, yet very meaningful photographs, and of course, there is that legacy of her mother’s magnificent career as a renown photographer Mae has to contend with.

There were many things about this film that I liked.

I particularly liked that the film gently suggested the symmetry generationally between Mae’s mother, and even her grandmother, as key elements are unveiled as the film goes on, through the letters and photos (and, of course time lapses), that help explain Mae’s discontent with her mother, and her feelings of neglect as a small girl. You see, Mae’s mother was passionate about her career and Mae learns eventually that she is more like her mother about many things in life than she would care to acknowledge. So, for Mae, this after-death situation turns into a real cathartic time as she comes to terms with her own self-discovery, as with her fast-developing feelings for her new love Michael.

And, like all good love stories, the couple has to find their way, and this one is a bit modern with the independent-Mae taking the lead on this, so to speak.

Personally, I have to say, I was so happy to see a smart young urban Black couple in a love story that was not negatively stereotyped in the least, both with outstanding careers, and yes, there are many out here, you know, many that were brought up in my very family, and friends, and are certainly disproportionately represented on screen. So, it was very nice to see this on screen and show the world something positive, instead of the typical, and I’m sorry to coin a phrase, “ghettoization” version of Black folk.

The Photograph is a delicious love story between a young Black urban couple that makes you leave the theater feeling wonderful! I loved it! I give The Photograph a 4 out of 5—a must-see, especially if you bring your special other, or singles come too—hope springs eternal baby!!

That’s it for real, that’s all.