The Photograph

I loved the imagery, the backdrop of New Orleans, the story, though predictable, developed well. Good love story, romantic and endearing.

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.

The Photograph (2020) is a movie my fiancée and I caught in theaters as soon as it was released. The story centers around a woman who feels incapable of finding happiness without sabotaging it-something that plagued her mother and that she believes she inherited. Meanwhile, a man she meets has a father who regrets not pursuing the love of his life, instead choosing to stick with what was safe and familiar. Both characters hope to learn from their parents' mistakes and make better choices for their futures.

Directed by Stella Meghie (The Weekend), the film stars Issa Rae (Insecure), LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out), Lil Rel Howery (Bird Box), Chanté Adams (Bad Hair), and Y'lan Noel (Insecure).

The storyline is solid and well-paced, and I appreciated how the various love stories were intertwined. The concept and writing were strong, but the acting was unfortunately uneven. Issa Rae often plays awkward characters, and in this role, I'm not sure it suited her skillset. The chemistry between her and Stanfield felt forced and unnatural, more acted than believable. Despite the quality writing and engaging subplots, the film fell a bit short for me.

That said, it's still a good movie with a worthwhile story, even if it doesn't reach the emotional heights of something like The Notebook. I'd give it a solid 7/10.

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!

Fueled by the fiery chemistry between Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, "The Photograph" gives viewers a love story that transcends time and is worth sticking around for. . In this romantic drama, the estranged daughter of a famous photographer falls in love with the journalist who is investigating her late mother's life. . Beautifully shot, wonderfully acted and even original at times, "The Photograph" is slow paced and won't be for everyone but the pay out is worth it. Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield burn up the screen with their intense performances, you'd think they were actually a couple. I thought the premise was interesting and even though "The Photograph" is not perfect, it felt good to watch a romantic drama; a genre that isn't as tackled in this day and age of film. . Follow @snobmedia for more reviews!