The Photograph

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.

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!

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

Production: Pretty basic all around. Nothing really stands out, but it isn't bad. Some continuity issues just like every other film. The music really sets the tone of the film. The script is a little dull/generic. 6/10.

On Screen: The acting was okay. Lakeith Stanfield made his character Michael Block, believable but, on the other hand, Issa Rae's character Mae Morton, wasn't. She didn't really have acting range. It's like she is uncomfortable the entire film. Additionally, the secondary characters are just cookie cutouts typical love movie motifs. Also, there are some plot holes that made the secondary story a little confusing. 6/10.

Content/Impact: To see black love portrayed in film is a rarity in itself. The best way to describe this film is love. The love that they show between black men and women, black women, and black men in a positive light, for the most part, is essential to tell our stories from a normalized perspective. This is what happens when we tell our own stories. 8/10.

Overall: It's a solid Valentine's day film to see with your loved ones, but because of the slow nature of this film, the performances needs to be outstanding and this falls short. I'll give it an 6.6/10.

I saw this movie on Valentine's Day with my besties, and we were all enamored by the film. Strong nuanced characters and good writing. Oh, and the souundtrack was amazing. It was two love stories in one and both narratives unfolded in a charming way.