The Photograph Movie Review

The Photograph (2020)

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Written by: Stella Meghie
Directed by: Stella Meghie
Starring: Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Chanté Adams, Y'lan Noel, Lil Rel Howery, Teynoah Parris, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Chelsea Peretti, Courtney B. Vance
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
A series of intertwining love stories set in the past and in the present.

Verdict
This combines two romance stories into one movie, but they don't connect as well as I'd like. This has some moments, but I liked the few comedic bits more than the pick-up lines and getting to know you conversations. The actors do a nice job, but there's not enough here to help this stand out in the genre. I was wondering how the two stories would connect, and they never really do.
It depends.

Review
The movie drops you right into the middle of  journalist Michael interviewing someone for a profile. A photograph leads to concurrent stories past and present. Michael tracks down the photographer and instead finds her daughter Mae. We see their relationship develop while flashing back to Mae's parent's relationship.

Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield play Mae and Michael.

I wondered if these stories would have a stronger connection. They're typical romance stories in different generations. Connecting these stories could give the movie the push it needs, but there isn't a crossover. The two relationships are a bit of a mirror, but the movie feels like it's treading water.

The dialog gets a bit cute, but it has some nice moments. The movie wants to create realistic dialog, and it's better than what's showcased in typical romantic movies. I thought the movie did a better job at being funny more than romantic. I would love if this was more comedic.

I'm left wanting more. Maybe this is a rumination on romance, time, and coincidence, but it's a reach. It feels like neither of the romance stories have enough legs to stand alone. The two stories connect because Mae is the connection, but it's not enough.
There's some character development, but there's only so much you can do with characters that avoid commitment and then commit to each other without it feeling forced.