From Muses.Music. Blog
Medicine For Melancholy
Studio: Strike Anywhere
Writer and Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1133989/
Rewarding. Rewarding would be the single word I would use to describe the complete film experience of Medicine For Melancholy. Ironically; though the plot surrounds a one night stand, this really wouldn't make a great date movie, it would be more of a "in a committed relationship" movie.
Medicine For Melancholy is a love story about the City of San Fransisco as much as it is or more than it is about the two characters. The main character Micah (Wyatt Cenac) wakes up after a heavy night of drinking in bed with Angela or Joanne ( Tracey Heggins who bears a pleasant resemblance to a young Lynn Whitfield) and seemingly in reverse order the story of their love affair begins. The initial sexual tension becomes like a dance between the two as they pull and push their way into each others worlds. All this amidst the backdrop of the insanely complex maze of social circles, race, income and geographical disparity that is apparently characteristic of the city of San Fransisco. After this gets cemented for the moviegoer the director, (Barry Jenkins) expertly releases the reigns of the plot and an organic development and flow of the story and characters (city included) dominate the remainder of the film.
With the regard to the city immediately you are transported to the metaphorical psyche of San Fransisco, its beautiful landscapes and unique layout. Immediately following this you are given a taste of its diversity and then its history.
The chemistry in the film was phenomenal, both between actors and the relationships with the city. As with all of my reviews I don't reveal any plots and as little of the actual story as possible, my goal is to comment on its worthiness for your time and money. But, I think the awkwardness of the morning after the overnight stand could have been handled a bit better, it seemed a bit overreaching, though I may be missing the point. Production-wise the cinematography was very artistic, perfectly muted enough to draw us deeper and deeper into the story as the film progressed. However, I did notice the sound was a bit clumsy, I am not sure if it was for an authentic effect but certain parts just didn't audibly gel with the pace or the feel of the story. This however has nothing to do with the lofty lullaby of the score or the soundtrack.
This film is definitely not one that you can watch without being drawn into it. This is both good and bad in a couple ways. It is good because the story gets its hooks in you, it allows you to evaluate yourself along with the characters. It also draws attention to the subject matter, but this is a double edged sword. The question I have about this film is that was it as entertaining as it should be? I am sold on it's quality but the moral seems to occupy a little more shelf space than I am used to with most stories. For example, I have never been to San Fransisco, but as a native of San Fransisco is it possible I would think this is THEE FILM OF THE YEAR? I am not sure, reflecting on it now I wonder; maybe I missed most of the substance being I am an outsider and can't relate as much as a native. Also, did the Afro-Centric sprinkles get a bit too heavy at a time? Not sure about tat either and I can't tell, because I am African American, though it is possible just my asking may be the answer to that question.
For the studio, Strike Anywhere, they may feel that they have hit this one out of the park as this contemplation is exactly what I should be feeling at the end of their film. Perhaps being a foreign Asian or other Non-African American person this film has as rich of a meaning as it does to "Indie" African Americans in the Bay. That isn't the point I know, and I am not here to evaluate the studio's mission statement, but the film was that good and such a breath of fresh air that it forced me to ponder. I highly recommend this DVD and there is absolutely no person complaining about Hollywood's stagnation and stranglehold on the culture and artistic creativity should miss Medicine For Melancholy
-M.M.
Last edited:
