Courtesy of Hollywood Reporter

On Friday, Feb. 14, “The Photograph” premiered in theaters across the country and was the main event of countless Valentine’s Day dates. The film is about a journalist named Michael (Lakeith Stanfield) who is writing an article about Christina Eames, a recently deceased photographer. 

While investigating this story, Michael meets and becomes almost instantly attracted to Eames’ estranged daughter Mae (Issa Rae), a museum curator. At the same time, the movie unfolds the complicated love story of Mae’s late mother. As the relationship between Mae and Michael progresses into love, Mae learns about her mother’s issues with love – as well as her own – as she tries to come to terms with the divide that existed between her and her mom when she was still alive.

At a time when so many modern movies challenge the topic of love and romance with skepticism of its legitimacy in the current world, “The Photograph” instead fuels audiences with the hope that romance isn’t dead. Despite most of it taking place in present times, the plot still manages to progress in such a refreshingly organic way. As soon as the trailer was released, it became clear that this would be a movie worth the watch, as it attracts such a wide range of movie-goers. 

It draws older, nostalgic viewers who crave that old-school love story with just enough contemporary flair that allows it to still be relevant and with the times. 

The film also entices younger, wishful audiences searching for that “je ne sais quoi” that seems to have been left behind by the current cinematic era. Rather than advertising a forever romance, the film focuses on the beauty of love in the moment while still allowing for the hope of its permanence.

What makes “The Photograph” unique is the way it goes beyond just telling a love story. Its R&B and jazz soundtrack beats with flirty, smooth passion, creating a certain relaxed environment that audiences can immediately vibe with. The setting, which switches between New York and Louisiana, is so low-key and beautifully comfortable, making viewers appreciate the cathartic simplicity of being in either place. 

“The Photograph” separates audiences from the complications of the world with this idealistic realism as it turns chaotic areas like New York and Louisiana into perfectly relaxed and fitting settings for the story. 

The combination of the sights and sounds in the movie build a tangible version of what the soft, warm and steamy feeling of love is, and this impression was apparently intentional. 

In an interview with Variety, Director Stella Meghie said, “I wanted this film to feel sexy and warm and dark – saturated. So it was a pretty tight color palette of these rich, earthy, you know, colors, jewel tones … There’s a lot of burgundy in the film, a lot of dark green, a lot of, like, chocolate brown.” These details elevate the film, making it an alluring cinematic love story instead of just another cute rom-com.

The movie is also especially important today because of the example it sets within the movement for equal representation in cinema. Rather than focusing on the hardships faced by people of color, which the film industry too often mistakes as the only form of diverse representation, “The Photograph” uniquely celebrates the colorful but raceless experience of love which happens to be portrayed by two established black actors. Stanfield impressed by adding to the range of characters that he never fails to embody with unexpected perfection, and Rae certainly continued to prove herself as an honorable actress. 

“The Photograph” leaves audience members falling in love with these two actors and their characters, but more importantly, it makes people fall in love with love.