The Photograph is a love story written and directed by Stella Meghie starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield, two black actors among the biggest names in Hollywood. Since its release, discussions of its quality have seen it compared to other black cinema, while others simply found it boring. After seeing the film, I beg to differ with the boring label and think that it’s an important work.
The movie opens with a woman named Christina (Chanté Adams) reflecting on love. Though fulfilled, there is a sense that she regrets leaving a special relationship in Louisiana to be a photographer in New York. Christina has since died and her daughter Mae (Issa Rae) is trying to reconcile her grief for a woman she felt distant from. Her grieving is complicated when a journalist named Michael (Lakeith Stanfield), approaches her about writing a profile on her mother’s legacy as a renowned photographer.
When the pair meet, the sparks fly instantly and their healthy professional relationship promises to turn into something more. However, challenges abound; Michael recently left a long-term relationship and is considering taking a job in the UK, while Mae is more guarded with her feelings. We get to observe the two work through insecurities and eventually fall in love. 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?
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’s exactly what we got.
As for the comparisons to movies like Queen and Slim, a black movie does not have to be violent or overly dramatic to be great. It’s refreshing to see this type of easy-going fare with such accomplished actors because watching black movies centred on our trauma is difficult. I’ve yet to watch the Academy Award-winning “Twelve Years a Slave,” and I probably never will despite deeply appreciating Steve McQueen. Those who feel similar unease should watch “Widows” instead.
The constant need to create traumatic black stories can be just that, traumatic. The Photograph’s uncomplicated escapism is a worthy antidote to that trauma. It features a type of black woman that we often don’t get to see being fallen for on screen. It’s no fairy tale either; it’s real and will be familiar to a lot of viewers. We, black people and black women in particular, deserve to see ourselves on screen as ordinary people and The Photograph accomplishes that.
You don’t have to be a fan of the genre, but if you are looking for a movie about two beautiful people who fall in love, check it out. Or tune in for Lakeith Stanfield because…wow (heart eyes emoji).