THE PHOTOGRAPH
US, 2020, 106 minutes, Colour.
Isas Rae, La Keith Stanfield, V'lan Noel, Rob Morgan, Lil Rel Lowery, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Courtney B.Vance, Jasmine Cephas Jones.
Directed by Stella Meghie.
This is a romantic drama, especially for those who like their romance tinged with sadness and regrets.
It is set in two timeframes, many flashbacks to the 1980s and life in Louisiana, the other timeframe New York in the present. It is the story of a romance in the 1980s which led to great disappointments. And, it is also the story of a happy romance in the present.
It is also a strongly American story, African- American.
La Keith Stanfield plays Michael, a top journalist who is interviewing an older man, Isaac, about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana. Amongst his possessions, the journalist finds a photo which intrigues him. He sets out to discover the story of the woman in the photo – and is introduced by fellow journalist to her daughter, Mae (Issa Rae). They meet, they discuss, the daughter organising an exhibition of her mother’s work, her mother being a photographer who has lately died of cancer. Her mother has left her a box with a letter reviewing her life.
While the romance develops in the present, the narrative goes back to the portrait of the mother, Christina, who clashes with her own mother, is something of a wild child, becoming involved with an upright local man, Isaac. It is the older Isaac who has been interviewed by the journalist.
On the one hand, this is a story of a young woman, with a talent for photography, who feels stifled in her home town, resentful that her mother disapproves of Isaac. Driven by her ambitions and hopes, she leaves Isaac behind, goes by bus to New York, persuades a photographer to take her on as an apprentice and, over the years, achieves a significant reputation as a photographer.
Now, of course, is the time for resolution and both Michael and Mae travel to Louisiana to find the truth.
And, again of course, history repeats itself in many ways, Michael getting a job opportunity in London, Mae having to make decisions about her own life, come to terms with the story of her mother, the reuniting with Isaac, and whether she loves Michael enough…
Romantic drama, love and regrets.
1. A romantic drama? The sadness of the romance in the 1980s? The tensions in the romance of the 21st-century story?
2. The Louisiana settings, poverty, homes, fishing, the sea? The dark room for the photographs? The contrast with New York City in the 21st-century, press rooms, photo exhibitions, homes and apartments? London settings, the office, the Apollo at Hammersmith?
3. The musical score, the taste of the different characters, inserted during the action?
4. The Louisiana story, the 1980s, Christina, her age, the attraction towards Isaac, going out together, friendship with Denise? Her interactions with her mother, her mother’s criticisms? Her wanting more in life, taking the photographs and developing them, the decision to go to New York? Not telling Isaac despite the bond? Coming to New York, the interview with the photographer, asserting herself, getting the job? The years passing, her success? The birth of Mae? The visit to Isaac, her mother’s death? Not telling Isaac about Mae? His saying he didn’t dare to ask? Her returning to New York?
5. Christina’s death, the letter to Mae, to Isaac to be delivered by Mae? The photos arousing Mae’s interest and curiosity? The curating of the exhibition?
6. The encounter with Michael, taping the interviews with Isaac, the connection? Their meeting, the discussions about the exhibition and the story?
7. Michael and his brother and his family, the brother and the continued humour and criticism? His breaking up with his girlfriend, Tessa? The attraction towards Mae? At the
movie, the meeting, Mae sending her friend off with Andy? (And the developing relationship between the friend and Andy, her change of attitude, his being promoted in the office at the suggestion of Michael?). The date, discussion, the bond, going to her apartment, the sexual encounter? The storm, going to Michael’s brother’s family, little girls and the revelation about Tessa?
8. Mae, going to Louisiana, meeting Isaac, giving him the letter, the revelation, his appreciation, his invitation for her to stay, the bonding?
9. Michael, not answering Mae’s phone calls, going south to interview Isaac?
10. Their visiting Christina’s dark room, the further bonding, the news about his going to London, Mae not knowing what to say or to declare her love?
11. Michael, his talent, writing the article, the boss in the office, the farewell, and his promotion?
12. Michael going to London, his work? Mae sending the ticket for the concert?
13. Their meeting outside the theatre, declarations, love, the future?
