Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Friday 14 February 2020

Review: 'The Photograph' develops

nicely into a fine film

By MARK KENNEDY she seems to tap into that the sleek leather couches
Associated Press joyful, infectious place that of upscale apartments
Entertainment Writer Julia Roberts does. to the faded grandeur of
This Valentine's Day, there's Their initial mating dance New Orleans in the 1980s.
certain to be the usual is as cute as any rom-com The filmmakers change
flood of candy and flow- — who's making the first film techniques and styles
ers. But at your local movie move? — before they final- for each venue, deepen-
theater, there's something ly get together and have a ing an experience that's
increasingly rare: A soulful meal. And how refreshing also reflected in changing
and adult romantic drama it is to hear a debate over music, time-traveling from
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Y'lan Noel, left, in "The Photograph." who's the better rapper — Anderson .Paak to Chaka
and Chanté Adams in "The Photograph." Issa Rae and Lakeith Stan- Drake or Kendrick Lamar Khan.
(Sabrina Lantos/Universal Pictures via AP)
field star as tentative, — as the first date conver- As Mae keeps digging, she
would-be lovers in modern- sation? unpacks more than just her
day New York. He's a mag- But Meghie ("The Week- mom's secrets. "What if I'm
azine writer on an assign- end") is not interested in a just like her?" she asks at
ment and she's a museum mere rom-com and " The one point. Her dad, played
curator. They first connect Photograph " has miles by Courtney B. Vance, tries
over a photograph of her more heft and depth. She's to help: "She wasn't just
mother that unlocks mom's interested in exploring how your mother," he tells her.
backstory, set in 1980s Loui- behavior can be inherited, "She was just a woman with
siana. That's another plus how ambition can topple flaws."
for the film: Value — not personal lives, how we es- Smaller parts in the film are
one but two love stories. tablish patterns in our love filled with real skill, espe-
Written and directed by life and how bravery in ro- cially by Lil Rel Howery, who
Stella Meghie, the film is mance can be just about plays Michael's brother with
a gentle and attentive saying what your heart what seems a comedian's
inter-generational tale feels. effortless lightness, and
with a first-rate cast. To the It turns out that Mae's es- Y'Lan Noel and Rob Mor-
always-charged roman- tranged mother — a won- gan, who each play the
tic question "Do I love this derful, haunted Chanté former lover of Mae's moth-
stranger?" it adds another Adams — was a driven er in the different eras.
equally fraught query: "Am photographer who wasn't Meghie's script is very hu-
I becoming my mom?" always able to convey man, respectful of hesitan-
Lakeith (FX's "Atlanta") her feelings. "I wish I was cy and thoughtful without
plays Michael as a coiled, as good at love as I am at being flashy. "Good things
watchful and smoldering working," she observes. In take time to develop," Mi-
hunk who seems to be act- death, she leaves behind chael says at one point,
ing from deep within his letters explaining her life, which has a double mean-
guts. He's just as likely to which lead her daughter ing when it comes to pho-
flee as he is of cuddling. and her new beau to inves- tographs. The camera lov-
Rae's Mae is luminous and tigate. ingly comes very close to
charismatic, with wide eyes The film takes turns switch- the faces of our main lov-
that convey so many emo- ing eras to tell each wom- ers, allowing two people
tions. When Rae (HBO's "In- an's story — from New York's to quietly show their torn
secure") bursts into a laugh, trendy whiskey bars and emotions.q
Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” keeps rolling

By Kristin M. Hall peating the word "Wow!"
Associated Press over and over, Rucker mut-
NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — tered to himself, "That can't
Country singer Darius Ruck- be true," as he inspected
er couldn't quite believe it the plaque in his hands.
when he was surprised this According to the Record-
week with the news that ing Industry Association of
his song "Wagon Wheel" America, "Wagon Wheel"
was certified eight times now joins other multiplati-
platinum, making it one of num hits among country
the top five most popular music's biggest songs in In this May 25, 2018 file photo,
country singles ever. RIAA's 60-year history, in- Darius Rucker performs
On Wednesday, Rucker cluding Taylor Swift's "Love on NBC's Today show at
Rockefeller Plaza in New York.
stopped by the Country Story," Lady Antebellum's Associated Press
Music Hall of Fame and Mu- "Need You Now," Florida
seum to see his items in an Georgia Line's "Cruise," didn't expect to be on the
exhibit, but his label, Univer- and Lil Nas X's "Old Town radio," said Rucker, who
sal Music Group Nashville, Road." "It's amazing to me had already had a highly
surprised him with a plaque because I came here to successful rock career as
featuring eight platinum- make country music, and I lead singer of Hootie and
colored records. After re- didn't expect success and I the Blowfish. q