I recently had the opportunity to go and see The Photograph Movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I may have some spoilers in here, so if you haven’t seen the movie don’t read any further. Bookmark this page and come back after you’ve had an opportunity to see it. The Photograph Summary: “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.†Via The Photograph Movie
Michael travels to Louisiana for a story, while composing his interview for the story, images taken by Photographer Christina Eames captured his interest. He then investigates Christina Eames and meets her daughter Mae along the way. As the movie unfolds you are taken back to scenes in Mae’s mother’s early life while Mae is struggling to read through a letter that her late mother left her. The letter seems to bring clarity as to why things were the way they were. Amid Mae unpacking these emotions she meets Michael who takes an immediate interest in her after getting out of a long-distance relationship.
While they are getting to know each other, they are both dealing with previous traumas that plays a part in their struggle to try and make their relationship work. Mae feels as though she doesn’t know how to love because she didn’t feel loved by her mother. Michael has had some commitment issues in the past but, tries to change his tune when it comes to Mae. The Photograph depicts how things from our past can affect our current situations. Therefore, it’s so important to deal with your childhood traumas and heal from situations that can affect you being able to productively move on in life and love.
It also shows us that things happen and there is no such thing as perfect timing! When Michael gets the job in London, he’s reluctant to tell Mae because he’s scared how she’ll react. It also means they must make some tough decisions about their relationship. Once he finally tells Mae, she immediately jumps to negativity and says that long distance relationships don’t work and told him the opposite of everything she wanted to say. Michael was willing to try to make it work, he didn’t care what it took to be with her… He just wanted Mae!
It took Michael leaving and going to London for Mae to get her thoughts together and tell him what she should have told him in the first place. She also buys a plane ticket, pops up in London and surprises him with concert tickets. I’m a firm believer that actions speak louder than words and at that point I knew Mae was ready to work with Michael and do whatever it took to be together. The Photograph is a modern-day romantic drama with a happy ending. I’m here for happy endings and a sap for a good black love story with minor toxicity.
Takeaway: Be Brave and Go After What You Want, because you’ll be missing blessings. Intuition is REAL. Vibes are REAL. ENERGY doesn’t lie. Tune in.
The cast was great, Issa Rae, Lakeith Stanfield, Chelsea Peretti, Lil Rel Howery, Courtnry B. Vance, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Chante Adams, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Y’lan Noel. Shout out to Stella Meghie for being a great writer and director on this project. I think everyone should see it! Favorite Quotes: “My Mae, I wish I had put as much courage into love as I put into my work.†-Christina “I don’t want to lose you, because I’m afraid to love you.†– Mae “I wish I didn’t leave people by so often.†– Christina “Sometimes good things take time to develop.†-Michael
I love the creative aspect of love between two creatives and the fact that “they love life in such a contagious way that can’t often be put into words.†– Rachel Wolchin
*Photo Credit(s) to The Photograph Movie