Really Love

This movie popped up on my Netflix watch list. I liked the movie but felt like it was trying too hard to recreate something already done. While watching, I kept getting Love Jones vibes but not as in depth. I like that it was about two black professionals, had positive characters and the backdrop was in DC. I just wished the lead characters were more developed and the ending didn't leave you hanging.

I loved that is was in DC. I love that they talked about Howard. I love the friendship and the connections with family, the places, the art, the music and the church. I loved the mother and the father of both main actors! I loved the lighting, the colors, the complications, and clarifications! I loved this movie and you don't want to miss it!

The ticking clock on my wall, and the demanding job waiting for me in a few hours, couldn't keep me away from this moment. I believe that staying up to watch this film, and now to give it a review, when time is not on my side, is likely to reveal my sentiments toward the experience more than any word that I write hereafter. Regardless, let me be clear that I enjoyed the film but more so appreciated it.

My appreciation stems from my belief that the film is more than a love story between couples but a love story of self, of family, of friends, of community, and of culture. These are all things I treasure and respect. Although, what nearly brought me to applause was the creator's presence of mind to not make this film a fairytale but instead to paint a portrait of ambitious, every day people, who weren't born on stacks of cash, yet never saw themselves as unworthy of the highest level of success. The creator went further to color our eyes with a truth that revealed that most dreams are powered by work, and that the work may open a window of opportunity that allows fate to sneak in and take people wherever it sees fit. Such truth, most creators conveniently leave out of screenplays, or allow to become scraps on the editor's room floor, and all because those details don't summon cheers. How brave the creator must be to go against the grain.

As for the cast, they were top-notch, and seeing Suzzanne Douglas being her talented self was a pleasant surprise.

The films passion keeps you watching. An honest love story with realistic ups and downs. When it ended I was sad the story was over.

If you're also a millennial, and you liked Normal People or The Photograph, this film is for you. For the generation that got to see Love Jones in theaters, I think you guys will like it too.

I'm white for reference. I love seeing films where black people get to be fully developed characters. We all need to see more of that. Hopefully 2022 will bring a lot films like that. Not just one or two.

Once you start this movie you become addicted to it, and you want to tell all your friends to watch it.

I really wanted to like this film! The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the characters! The wardrobe is to die for and they get everything right about the DC ambiance. Where it goes wrong is the actual storytelling itself. That seems to be a thing with many of the shows marketed to Black audiences on Netflix, unfortunately. The female lead isn't really developed at all in terms of us getting to know her character other than she's in school to be a lawyer. We knew predictably exactly where things were going to go with the boyfriend. I don't even need to share spoilers! It would have been nice to have a story that was unexpected and still uplifting. There were a number of ways that could have been done given this phenomenal lead and supporting cast. Maybe next time.