Medicine for Melancholy review

Medicine for Melancholy review

Okay so I am not gonna lie. One of my main reasons for watching this movie is because Aneesah wrote about it a couple of months ago. I decided to research it on my own just to get some reviews and other opinions before I saw it in theaters. I must say that the small sypnosis on the M4M website gave this film no justice. It was amazing. More than I could imagine.

The movie, Medicine for Melancholy, directed by Barry Jenkins, follows two African-Americans, Jo and Micah, after a one-night stand. Set in San Francisco, the two bike ride across the city for a day, discovering themselves in the midst of being minorities where only 7% of the population is black.

Throughout their trek, the duo (mainly Micah) questions every black stereotype you can think of and attempts to find an answer along the way. Jo, an artist who lives with her white boyfriend in Noe Valley, is a free-spirited young woman while, Micah, the second go to guy for aquarium fish (lol) is an angry, outspoken, and often sarcastic individual who over-analyzes black culture in the hopes that it will change. Though their personalities are at different ends of the spectrum, both manage to explore San Francisco and themselves along the way.

Medicine for Melancholy is a great independent film to watch. It defies the social stereotypes that has plagued African-Americans for so long. Set in black and white, Jenkins makes the movie honest and intimate as we follow Micah and Jo on their journey. I cannot recommend this movie enough. It was simplistic yet hidden within the film was a deeper meaning, waiting to be discussed with a friend after the movie is done. I really want to see it again, but unfortunately I don't have another $10.75 to spend. :(

Also, the soundtrack was AMAZING. Great indie bands meshed perfectly and I must say that I am quite proud of their selection. I gotta find that soundtrack somewhere!

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Film: Medicine for Melancholy

Film: Medicine for Melancholy

I discovered this on the Afro Punk site in a discussion entitled, "I want my BLACK GIRL comes up movie DAMMIT!". lol

It's true. Where are all the quirky, black, female lead roles? I'm not talking about those coon flicks Tyler Perry films where the woman is scorned by a man, Madea comes to the rescue, followed by some old lady's words of wisdom and a gospel solo...it's all the same. No range. The fact of the matter is that we're still "supporting" actresses or "ghetto birds" (there are a FEW exceptions) for the most part. People still don't see black women as something other than Kraynisha from Crenshaw...or some shit.

"Medicine for Melancholy" looks really promising, though. It's a love story with the beautiful city of San Francisco as its backdrop. It gets kudos for the Ray Bradbury reference in its title. The film also touches on societal issues and a deterioration of rich culture that gives SF that mystic, soulful vibe. Therefore, it distinguishes itself from the usual "chick flick" by adding substantial topics of culture, class, and society that quite possibly could be relevant to our own quirky, afropunk-y, alternative lives.

The film is directed by Barry Jenkins and stars Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins (who looks so gorgeous, btw.) The film is playing in selected theatres in February!

For more info:
Medicine for Melancholy @ myspace

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