The Photograph (2020)
1h 46m | PG-13
When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, she leaves her estranged daughter, Mae, hurt, angry and full of questions. When Mae finds a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box, she soon finds herself delving into her mother's early life -- an investigation that leads to an unexpected romance with a rising journalist.
Director: Stella Meghie
Studio: Universal Pictures
Genre: Drama, Romance
Video: 720p
Cast
Issa Rae
as Mae Eames
LaKeith Stanfield
as Michael Block
Chanté Adams
as Christina Eames
Y'lan Noel
as Young Isaac
Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
as Andy Morrison
Lil Rel Howery
as Kyle
Reviews
Mae, looking into her late photographer mother's New Orleans past, meets Mike, researching the same story as a journalist. The film journeys between New York and New Orleans and the earlier life of Mae's mother alongside her own. It Stylishly explores relationships and how they can be left unresolved and how the mistakes of our parents influence our own choices.
"Michael" (LaKeith Stanfield - who has great taste in coats/jackets) is a journalist who travels to interview a man who has just lost his wife. During his visit to the man's home he spies a photograph of a girl taken by Chanté Adams ("Christina"). Once back in New Orleans, he tries to track down more work from this photographer and that introduces him to "Mae" (Issa Rae), the assistant curator at a gallery with whom he falls in love. The remainder of this rather ponderous tale takes us through their pretty ordinary courtship and involves a touch too much coincidence for me - in the end it just ends up being a slightly quirky love story with competent performances from the two lead actors. At times the soundtrack is wonderful - soulful and melodic jazz typical of the Louisiana location but otherwise this is just an unremarkable 100 minutes.