The Photograph

The Photograph centers on Mae Eames, a woman whose relationship with her mother, the celebrated photographer Christina Eames, was distant and unresolved. When Christina dies suddenly, Mae is left with grief, anger and unanswered questions. Among her mother's belongings she discovers a photograph hidden in a safe-deposit box, and it sends her looking into the life Christina led before Mae was born. Her search brings her into contact with Michael Block, a journalist, and the two begin a romance even as Mae wrestles with what she has learned about her mother's past and what it means for her own capacity to trust someone.

The film is a romantic drama written and directed by Stella Meghie, her second feature after Everything, Everything (2017). Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield star as Mae and Michael, with Chanté Adams as the young Christina and Y'lan Noel, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Lil Rel Howery in supporting roles. It was produced by Will Packer and James Lopez for Universal Pictures.

Released on Valentine's Day 2020, the film had a budget of about 16 million US dollars and took roughly 21 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.1 out of 10 from around 6,600 votes, and on TMDB 6.3 out of 10 from about 219 votes. A critics' rating of 6.5 out of 10 from 115 reviews places it slightly above the audience scores.