The Photograph

Name: The Photograph
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: February 14, 2020
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Chanté Adams, Chelsea Peretti, Courtney B. Vance, Issa Rae, Jasmine Cephas Jones

2020

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Ratings

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5.9

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5.9	Your Score
5.9	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 14, 2020 | PG-13

Starring: Chanté Adams, Chelsea Peretti, Courtney B. Vance, Issa Rae, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Lakeith Stanfield, LilRel Howery, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Rob Morgan, Teyonah Parris, Y'lan Noel

Summary: When famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) hurt, angry and full of questions. When a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother's early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-starWhen famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) hurt, angry and full of questions. When a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother's early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block (LaKeith Stanfield).… Expand

Director: Stella Meghie

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Mark Kennedy

Feb 13, 2020

Written and directed by Stella Meghie, the film is a gentle and attentive inter-generational tale with a first-rate cast. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Monica Castillo

Feb 14, 2020

Through cinematographer Mark Schwartzbard’s lens, The Photograph feels like a gentle throwback to romantic movies that left their audiences in good spirits as they filed out of the theater. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Feb 14, 2020

The Photograph, both thoughtful and entertaining, with a pleasurably laid-back vibe, belongs to a class of movie that barely exists anymore on the big screen. It’s also a reminder that appealing actors are sometimes the best spectacle of all. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Feb 13, 2020

Meghie’s film is a paean to the push and pull between enchanting possibilities and chimerical probabilities. You don’t need to bring a handkerchief into the theater for fear of ocular leakage, but The Photograph’s modestly hopeful denouement is, truly, picture perfect. Read full review

Derek Smith

Feb 14, 2020

The film is at its best when it’s focused on the euphoria and tribulations of its central couple's love affair. Read full review

Angelica Jade Bastien

Feb 14, 2020

Unfortunately, The Photograph doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of its premise. Read full review

The Guardian Adrian Horton

Feb 13, 2020

Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield can’t save this dreary Valentine’s drama that lacks fizzle and emotional stakes. Read full review

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User Reviews

BeverlyJohnson1

Feb 17, 2020

I thought it was a cute love movie. Full of Black Love! I wish it would have got a little more exposure through the media. I enjoy the the cast. The leading female and male did a wonderful job, soundtrack was everything. We need more black love movies, Congratulations to the entire cast andI thought it was a cute love movie. Full of Black Love! I wish it would have got a little more exposure through the media. I enjoy the the cast. The leading female and male did a wonderful job, soundtrack was everything. We need more black love movies, Congratulations to the entire cast and kudos to the writer and Director/ Producer.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Shake1234

May 11, 2020

A beautiful love story for millennials. I love how they incorporate their love of hip hop into this story. This story will inspire you to love and to not overthink it. Because everything isn’t practical. A must see.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

estonism

Feb 16, 2020

Issa Rae is a burgeoning actress. She is beautiful and has a wonderful onscreen personality. She is still at the stage where she can be molded by a director to character's liking. LaKeith is her male counterpart in may ways. Their chemistry and hesitance in their romance was fun toIssa Rae is a burgeoning actress. She is beautiful and has a wonderful onscreen personality. She is still at the stage where she can be molded by a director to character's liking. LaKeith is her male counterpart in may ways. Their chemistry and hesitance in their romance was fun to watch. Fairly simple plot with a great soundtrack. I recommend this movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

tropicAces

Feb 14, 2020

It’s solid romantic drama stuff. I’ve loved Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield since before they blew up, and they have great chemistry here. I guess the film’s biggest issue is its pacing and tones, which switch from light and playful to monotonous and slow without warning.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

fiftywordreview

Feb 18, 2020

The Photograph is unable to avoid falling into some classic genre cliches, but strong chemistry from Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield make for an above average romance flick. The pacing can be inconsistent, but not enough to take away from the film's overall impact.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JLuis_001

Feb 27, 2020

Pretty but also unconvincing and kinda emotionless.
It uses safe and predictable topics, already seen many times in romantic dramas, so this one doesn't become the exception.
It's not that the ideas this film tries to explore are bad, it's just that it keeps the whole film at a fairlyPretty but also unconvincing and kinda emotionless.
It uses safe and predictable topics, already seen many times in romantic dramas, so this one doesn't become the exception.

It's not that the ideas this film tries to explore are bad, it's just that it keeps the whole film at a fairly controlled environment and that's why it doesn't feel that there is something at stake to make the romance feel more realistic or striking in terms of emotion.

It could be worse.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JonesN

Jun 8, 2020

I rate this movie a 3 at best! I agree with JLuis_001 review. Emotionless and very predictable. I think maybe I was expecting more from this movie that what I actually got. I was expecting more of a black love story of the likes of the Notebook, or Brown Sugar, Jasons Lyric etc. This wasntI rate this movie a 3 at best! I agree with JLuis_001 review. Emotionless and very predictable. I think maybe I was expecting more from this movie that what I actually got. I was expecting more of a black love story of the likes of the Notebook, or Brown Sugar, Jasons Lyric etc. This wasnt even close to any of those.There wasnt anything that seemed to be at stake of losing, the relationship seemed more like a friendship with benefits than anything else. I wish they had better chemistry and that there was definitely more background on the characters.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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