Review of Medicine for Melancholy (2009) by Bob K — 24 Nov 2018

I wasn't sure if this was a movie about two people in a city, or about a city illustrated through two tourguides. Either way, it works very well. That the city is San Francisco makes all the difference for me. Micah has connected with a woman he can't walk away from, or more precisely, he can't let walk away from him. Jo goes from wary and reluctant to extend the one-night stand that just ended as the movie opens, to embracing a wonderful day and evening with him. Clearly, its a better day than she's used to having with her absent boyfriend. But Micah lets his opinions on race get in the way at times, which almost drives her away, since his unsolicited and uncharitable thoughts obviously spring from his unhappiness that she not only has a boyfriend, but he's white.

I just criticized another movie for being low on substance, and this film doesn't have much going on other than what Micah and Jo experience, but you will get much more out of it. You'll get a taste of the S.F. housing anxiety of 2008, which has only worsened by leaps since then. You'll get beautiful desaturated photography, which changes frequently, and you'll get to watch Tracey Heggins smile, which is the most beautiful recommendation I can give.