The Photograph

The soundtrack to this movie is the smoothest I've heard in a long time. This was a slick movie to listen to and to watch. A Love Jones redux if you will. The acting by Lakeith and Issa was solid although, I feel that Lakeith was given more to do. We get two stories that intertwine but the problem is that I didn't feel for the lead characters (the mom, and Issa Rae's character). I wanted to root and cheer for them, but we weren't given much to go on. The script was like the shell of a house. Great start, but then you forgot to add the plumbing, floors, doors, insulation, etc... There are a lot of stolen glances, soft touches, and sip and smiles but I didn't care about the relationship between Issa and Lakeith either way. I realllllly wanted to like the film more than I did, but I just felt indifferent about it. And for a movie in the romance genre, you really need to have characters you cheer for, even if they don't end up together.

As a filmmaker and writer, this project is very different to see on the screen. For as long as I can remember, there are not many movies like this with an all black cast telling a story such as this with a great budget. No stereotypes or crazy upside down story, it's something very soothing and relaxing. The music definitely was a great addition to the film. The main cast did an excellent job portraying the characters. Hoping for more black movies such as this to hit the big/small screens. It's our time to shine in a positive light!

This film is just very boring. The story is contrived, and I cannot connect with any of the characters at all. The constant heavy rain outside is annoying as well.

Finally a film showing beautiful brown actors in normal, healthy and mature relationships, telling a romantic story where neither race, violence nor toxic, dysfunctional behavior are used as crux. Love scenes between the characters and the family portrayals were far more realistic than we've seen with typical films featuring people of color. In fact the fact that the characters were people of color made absolutely no difference- it's as it should be. The musical soundtrack really resonates by subtly showcasing many iconic 80s and contemporary R&B tracks that are generally not in frequent rotation; these brought back so many wonderful, long-forgotten memories. There was no cgi, no gun or other violence, no angry foul behavior ... and we need more films like this. I felt great during and after watching this film and I can't say that about many films these days. Well done.

LaKeith Stanfeild and Issae Rae have really good chemistry I felt. It made it believable that their romance was so perfect. Also like the chemistry that Stanfeild had with Lil Rey Howry who played his big brother. The movie was about two stories. the romance between Stanfeild and Rae's character. Then the movie did flashbacks of Rae's character's mother who had to make a choice between a man she loves and her passion. Both on their own made great stories but the way this movie handle both material was not great. It did not blend together well at all as it jumped from one story to another without any real set up. The jazz score made me think this movie was going to be too adult and sophisticated for my taste but after a while I just felt it was being used to cover what was wrong with the flick. Can't say that I did not like it. That would not be true but I can say is that it could have been better.