29 September 2008 @ 16:04Sidewalk 2008 Review: Medicine For Melancholy
Medicine For Melancholy
Writer/Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Wyatt Cenac, Tracey Heggins
Micah and Joanne meet via a drunken one-night stand at a party. After the awkward morning after, Micah decides to pursue Joanne, in whom he is now genuinely interested. She has a boyfriend though, and puts her defenses up whenever he makes a move.
Medicine for Melancholy makes for a good, if not spectacular romantic movie. The setup is believable and the acting is decent, when not good. The movie has a great soundtrack that meshes well with each scene whether somber or lively. There is no clear resolution to their situation in the end, other than a sense of the immediate within each other.
One problem with the film however, is the introduction of inner-city politics. The racial and socioeconomic issues are at best tacked-on to give the movie “an edge”. Clearly though, it weakens the strengths that this movie has as it slides from inspired to mediocre.
I recommend seeing Medicine for Melancholy for the light-hearted and the turmoiled conversations between these two new lovers.
by | Add a comment | Tags: Barry Jenkins, Independent Film, Medicine for Melancholy, Sidewalk, Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Tracey Heggins, Wyatt Cenac
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