Review of Medicine for Melancholy (2009) by Balaji R — 09 Nov 2009
It is tough to digest that this is Barry Jenkins' first movie. The confidence and the subtelty of his craft seems to reflect years of film making.
A great instance of this is the opening sequence. Two strangers wakiing up from a one-night stand and trying to find their bearings. The awkward glances, the stilted conversation are all something which most of us have known first hand.
In the above scene and pretty much forthe rest of the movie, Jenkins makes us a vouyeur yearning to know what transpires after that night. It is very reminiscent of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.
As the non-night stand reluctantly meanders on to a day long romance, the characters and the city (my beloved San Francisco) comes to life.. Just like the early morning fog clearing out, the characters shake of their uneasieness and come into their own.
Wyatt Cenac - (of The Daily Show) shows us his flexibility beyond comedy.
Tracey Heggins is a revelation. The incredibly beautiful Heggins portrays the vulnerability and the defiance of a young African American woman in such an effortless manner. Hopefully Hollywood takes note. We could definitely do with more such actresses.
When I recommend Before Sunrise and Before Sunset to friends, I ask them not to watch it passively. Same applies to this movie. The nuances are the really tasty bits.
This review of Medicine for Melancholy (2009) was written by Balaji R on 09 Nov 2009.
Medicine for Melancholy has generally received positive reviews.
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