107. The Photograph; movie review

THE PHOTOGRAPH
Cert 12A
106 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex, infrequent strong language

After a long day at work, it was probably an unwise choice to go for a low-key romance albeit with a superb jazz soundtrack.
The latter was the only element of The Photograph which will remain in my mind for more than a week.
This really was rather dreary and I have to admit that both Mrs W and I, who made up two-fifths of the Nottingham Cineworld audience, struggled to stay awake.
Stella Meghie's film stars Lakeith Stanfield as an unsettled reporter who has just split up with a long-term girlfriend and is looking for a new job.
Not for the first time, the portrayal of a journalist is laughable.
Stanfield's character, Michael, is seen to fly all the way to Louisiana to catch up with the one-time lover of a recently deceased photographer.
It is scarcely a story in the first place and the old fella adds little to it and yet, he continues with the writing of it for weeks.
Oh, for the luxury. This might have happened in the 1970s when newspapers were in their heyday but the idea that a digital reporter would have time for such whimsy is ridiculous.
Even more unlikely, is the way he just toddles into the newsroom when he feels like it and isn't under any obvious pressure to present his work.
Anyway, he falls in lust at first sight with Mae (Issa Rae) who is curating an exhibition of her mother's photos.
Issa has been destabilised by her death but, at the same time, can't help being lured by the persuasive Michael.
The film then moves on to the romance between two undemonstrative people with flashbacks to the intrigue between Mae's mum and the old fella who was interview by Michael.
The problem is that it doesn't have even the slightest bit of excitement and the central characters have no clear appeal other than their good looks.
Therefore, it just bumbles along, nursing both Mrs W and me into the land of nod.
If you are being troubled by insomnia, it may be just the tonic you need.

Reasons to watch: If you are a great romantic
Reasons to avoid: Not nearly enough happens

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Issa Rae was one of the first big stars of YouTube with her web series Awkward Black Girl in 2011.

The final word. Stella Meghie: "I wanted to do a romantic drama, so that was on my mind. And at the same time, my grandmother was about to meet a daughter that she had to give up when she was in her teens. It's strange being in a Jamaican family; I feel like you never hear the whole story." Oprah Mag

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