The Photograph

Finally a film showing beautiful brown actors in normal, healthy and mature relationships, telling a romantic story where neither race, violence nor toxic, dysfunctional behavior are used as crux. Love scenes between the characters and the family portrayals were far more realistic than we've seen with typical films featuring people of color. In fact the fact that the characters were people of color made absolutely no difference- it's as it should be. The musical soundtrack really resonates by subtly showcasing many iconic 80s and contemporary R&B tracks that are generally not in frequent rotation; these brought back so many wonderful, long-forgotten memories. There was no cgi, no gun or other violence, no angry foul behavior ... and we need more films like this. I felt great during and after watching this film and I can't say that about many films these days. Well done.

The soundtrack to this movie is the smoothest I've heard in a long time. This was a slick movie to listen to and to watch. A Love Jones redux if you will. The acting by Lakeith and Issa was solid although, I feel that Lakeith was given more to do. We get two stories that intertwine but the problem is that I didn't feel for the lead characters (the mom, and Issa Rae's character). I wanted to root and cheer for them, but we weren't given much to go on. The script was like the shell of a house. Great start, but then you forgot to add the plumbing, floors, doors, insulation, etc... There are a lot of stolen glances, soft touches, and sip and smiles but I didn't care about the relationship between Issa and Lakeith either way. I realllllly wanted to like the film more than I did, but I just felt indifferent about it. And for a movie in the romance genre, you really need to have characters you cheer for, even if they don't end up together.

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.

Very slow and boring. It had potential and I kept waiting for something to have some emotional connection but never happened. 3 people walked out during the movie. Not a good sign

I loved see these two beautiful black professionals trying to get love right. I also loved how the back story of Mae's mom and her unrequited love. It was creative, unique and healthy view of what love is even with its complications. Im so happy to see positive representation of black love. I'm going to see it again!

Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield had great chemistry. The story from the past left you longing for a better outcome for the two characters and the story from the present hoped that they learned from the mistakes the past couple made. The music wove a beautiful tapestry to help the flow of the movie. It was reminiscent of Love Jones in that way. It could have been a bit quicker but it was still a great love story overall.

I'm a guy and like all the other guys in the theater the Valentine's day trump card won out. I wanted to like this, I thought I would like it. I can do the chick flick thing with the best of them. I mean, the Notebook, are you kidding me! But this, oh this. So slow, so predictable, and the score/soundtrack. What the literal H? I mean, slow jazz in a jazz club, sure. Slow jazz during love making scene, makes sense I guess. Slow jazz walking down the street late at night, in the backyard by the shed, walking up the sidewalk to your dad's house, looking out the window, sitting at your desk at work, hanging out in the kitchen, hanging out in the living room, hanging out with your friend, driving in your car, standing by your car, talking on the phone, at your job interview, in the late 80's, in the present - Slow jazz through out the entire film! Didn't matter if it made sense for the scene or not, slow jazz, slow jazz, slow jazz. Ahhhhhhh! I felt like I was in one of those old detective movies. You know the ones. The story itself, as a whole, was good, but it was done poorly. Everything you think is going to happen, happens. I kept waiting for that ah ha moment when something big would happen, a twist or a kink in the plot. But nope. It went just as planned, how I thought. Boring. And the letter! You think you find out what's in the letter? Think again buster. The best part of the whole movie was the brother or brother-in-law -Lil Rel Howery - He was funny. Don't waste your time or money. You've been warned.