The Photograph

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The Photograph

PG-13

Released Feb 14, 2020

1h 46m

Romance

Drama

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Verified Ratings

The discovery of a hidden family photograph sends Mae Morton (Issa Rae) on a quest for answers. The journey into her estranged mother's past exposes many secrets and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with rising-star journalist Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield). Award-winning writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) tells a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it leads you.

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Critics Consensus

Gorgeous visuals, an affecting love story, and simmering chemistry between Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield keep The Photograph solidly in focus.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

It's a beguiling combination at first, but the surrounding story is too clunky, the revelations too telegraphed.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 10, 2020

Full Review

Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Simply put, Michael and Mae don't get enough time to just be, though a sequel could fix that.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2020

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Luxuriantly sensual and unashamedly romantic, The Photograph is a cat's cradle of connecting love stories, spun across states, decades and continents.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2020

Full Review

Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

The appealing leads spark with genuine onscreen chemistry, and Meghie capitalizes on a terrific supporting cast to vividly render past and present in complementary balance.

Sep 23, 2023

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The Photograph is a gorgeous looking film about how life doesn’t always go as planned, love will endure even when relationships drift apart, and learning from a shared history doesn’t mean anything is set in stone.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 24, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

There’s a throwback romantic quality in Meghie’s use of the gaze that calls back to Bogart and Bacall, Tracy and Hepburn, MacMurray and Stanwyck.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 24, 2022

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Kimberly J

I Love Black Stories on screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/21

Full Review

Jeanette D

Started a little slow but it was a good movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/06/20

Full Review

Mark

I liked that a woman went after what/who she wanted ....

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/20

Full Review

Elodie

Best movie ever!! Must watch !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/20

Full Review

Ericka M J

The movie had potential but it just didnt ...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/20/20

Full Review

davie huddleston

Female movie. Did have some romance lines.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/20/20

Full Review

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Stella Meghie

Director

Issa Rae

Mae

LaKeith Stanfield

Michael Block

Chanté Adams

Christina

Y'lan Noel

Young Isaac

Lil Rel Howery

Kyle

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The Photograph: Official Clip - Double Flirting

2:10

The Photograph: Official Clip - Love, Together

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The Photograph: Official Clip - Too Early to Kiss You?

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The Photograph: Official Clip - Have You Ever Cheated?

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The Photograph: Official Clip - Other Demands

2:12

The Photograph: Official Clip - The Art Exhibit

1:15

The Photograph: Official Clip - Echoes of Love

1:38

The Photograph: Official Clip - Long Distance Never Works

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The Photograph: Official Clip - I Wanna Be with You

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The Photograph: Official Clip - Why Should I Hire You?

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The Photograph: Trailer 2

1:57

The Photograph: Trailer 1

2:28

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Synopsis

The discovery of a hidden family photograph sends Mae Morton (Issa Rae) on a quest for answers. The journey into her estranged mother's past exposes many secrets and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with rising-star journalist Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield). Award-winning writer-director Stella Meghie (The Weekend, Jean of the Joneses) tells a sweeping love story about forgiveness and finding the courage to seek the truth, no matter where it leads you.

Director: Stella Meghie
Producer: Will Packer, James Lopez
Screenwriter: Stella Meghie
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Will Packer Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Sexuality|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 2020, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 28, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.6M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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