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.

While in New Orleans doing a post-Katrina story, reporter Michael Block (LaKeith Stanfield) is taken with the pictures of late photographer Christina Eames. Her daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) reopens the photo collection and the two bond over the research. In flashbacks, Christina Eames has various struggles on her life journey.

I really like both LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae. I like their awkward chemistry. I really like this pairing. I don't know if there is any meat to this story. I don't connect with the mother's story. I kept thinking that it would be nice to go back to Michael and Mae. I would like for this pairing to do more romances or try a rom-com.

The Photograph (2020) is a movie my fiancée and I caught in the theatres as soon as it came out. The storyline focuses on a woman who doesn't feel she can find happiness without screwing it up, something that plagued her mother and she feels is a trait she inherited. Meanwhile, a man she meets has a father who lives with his own regret for not chasing the love of his life and sticking with something safe that he knew best. Both hope to learn from their parents mistakes and make the right choice for their futures. This movie is directed by Stella Meghie (The Weekend) and stars Issa Rae (Insecure),LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out),Lil Rel Howery (Bird Box),Chanté Adams (Bad Hair) and Y'lan Noel (Insecure). The storyline for this is solid and very well paced. I loved how the various love stories intertwined. The concept and writing was very good. The acting; unfortunately, was very uneven. Issa Rae is such an awkward character in everything she does and seeing her in this role; well, I'm not sure it's a fit for her skillsets. The chemistry between her and Stanfield felt a bit forced and unnatural (acted I guess) rather than believable. Despite the quality of the writing, plots and sub plots, this fell a little short for me. This is still good as the story is worthwhile, but it's not the Notebook. I'd score it a solid 7/10.