The Photograph, starring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, premiered this past Valentines Day. The moment I saw the trailer I knew I would be seeing this movie on Valentines Day!
Before I can begin to review this movie, please know I’m a romantic. I love a good romantic comedy as well as a romantic drama. I watch corny Hallmark movies regularly and I use to read Harlequin romance novels. I’m also super into Disney princess type movies. I have always been a girl who loves love.
The last ‘love story’ type movie that genuinely resonated with me was Loves Jones, way back in 1997! I was so happy to see a movie that didn’t show trauma, street life or some perverted cultural experience. Instead I got to focus on the characters and their love story, just like I did when I watched other movies starring white characters. Representation matters, but along with it, authenticity is even better.
The Photograph took me back to how I felt when I saw Loves Jones. Seeing beautiful brown people being vulnerable and taking leaps (pun definitely intended) at love, was moving. The layers of the story being told kept my interest the entire time.
Issa Rae did a beautiful job of capturing the organic facial expressions and mannerisms of a young woman who desires more but is afraid to let go. LaKeith Stanfield will be forever etched in my mind as a true romantic interest. He was able to express vulnerability and strength with his character.
Although the movie starts a bit slow, it’s worth it, because it’s building, much like the character’s connection. It’s a slow burn. Much like when we are working toward manifesting our own desires, it may take time to conceptualize and then bring them into our reality.
The Photograph was thankfully free of trauma, politics and stereotypes. It was so good, I plan on actually seeing it again!
leap taken 