The Photograph is a love story starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, two black actors who are among the biggest names in Hollywood today. Since it was released last weekend, there have been some discussions about the quality of the film. Some are comparing it to films such as Queen and Slim while others simply thought that it was boring. After seeing the film, I think it is worth having a discussion about it.
The movie opens with a clip of a woman named Christina (Chanté Adams) talking about love and her career. Though she seems happy and fulfilled, there is a sense that she is carrying some regret for a love that she left behind in Louisiana to be a photographer in New York. Christina has since died and her daughter Mae (Issa Rae) is trying to deal with her grief for a mother who she felt distant from. This process is complicated when she gets a phone call from a reporter named Michael (Lakeith Stanfield), who is writing a profile about her mother and her legacy as a renowned photographer. When they first meet, the sparks fly instantly and they quickly turn a professional relationship into a “we’ll see where this goes” situation. However, there are some very real challenges. Michael recently left a long-term relationship, Mae is more guarded with her feelings, and most of all, he is considering taking a job in London, England. We get to watch these two characters work their insecurities and their flaws, and eventually fall in love. It’s a timeless story and it still works. As a couple, they are hilarious, honest, compelling, and exactly what many want to see on screen. So why are there so many discussions about the movie being boring? And why is it being compared to other black stories that it is, quite frankly, not trying to relate to?
In my opinion, I did not think the movie was boring. I was completely captivated as it beautifully weaved this story about Mae and Michael while seamlessly flashing back to stories about her mother and her first love Isaac (Y’lan Noel; Rob Morgan). It is a well produced and well-written film, and does exactly what I want these types of movies to do. The Photograph was advertised as a love story and that is exactly what we got. Personally, I really enjoyed it.
As for the comparisons to movies such as Queen and Slim, a black movie does not have to be violent or overly dramatic to be a great film. It is refreshing to see this type of movie with these actors because sometimes seeing movies about black people that are always based on our trauma can be tough. I have yet to watch the Academy Award winning film “Twelve Years a Slave”; in fact, I probably never will. I deeply appreciate Steve McQueen, so go watch “Widows” instead. What I am trying to say is that the constant need to create traumatic black stories can be just that, traumatic. The Photograph is great because it is uncomplicated escapism. It features a type of black woman that we do not often get to see being fallen for on screen. It is not a fairy tale either; it’s real and likely feels familiar to a lot of people watching. We, black people and black women in particular, deserve to see ourselves on screen as ordinary people. I’m glad the Photograph did that for us.
If you don’t care for the genre then by all means. But if you are looking for a movie about two beautiful people who fall in love, check out The Photograph. Or at the very least, go check it out to see Lakeith Stanfield because…wow (heart eyes emoji).