Medicine for Melancholy (2009)
Written & Directed by: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Wyatt Cenac, Tracey Heggins

“Medicine for Melancholy” is a relatively simple movie. It’s about two young African Americans who wake up awkwardly after a drunken one night stand, then spend a day getting to know each other. It doesn’t quite play out that conveniently of course. One has a boyfriend and both are a little embarrassed by the initial situation. As the day plays out they gradually get to know, and warm to each other. For the most part I’m reminded of Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke walking around Paris in “Before Sunset” (Before Sunrise might be a better comparison, but I never saw that one). It’s two different personalities and a different environment, but the structure is more or less the same.

“Medicine for Melancholy” is a debut effort for director, Barry Jenkins. It’s already created a bit of a buzz at film festivals including nominations for Cinematography, Best First Feature, and “Someone to Watch” at the Independent Spirit Awards. It’s pretty much a two actor movie, both relatively unknowns. Wyatt Cenac is a comedian and the special “black correspondent” on “The Daily Show.” Tracey Heggins is an actress/model with a handful of TV credits to her name. Previously only available at festivals, the DVD is just making its release this week.

In its early stages, “Medicine for Melancholy” looks like a relatively cold lackluster effort. It starts out in desaturated color, appearing to be black and white, and has a low key naturalistic look to it. We struggle to identify with our characters as they struggle to identify with each other. Micah (Cenac) is rather friendly, but he has no idea how to respond to the despondency of Joanne (Heggins). It’s forced conversation over coffee where names are awkwardly exchanged, then a shared cab ride home. A lost wallet forces a second encounter later that day and the two gradually warm to each other, agreeing to spend the rest of the day together. As attitudes become warmer, color starts to sporadically creep into the photography. It’s a clever blend of color and non-color, which only seems to say a little too much in its closing shot.

The dynamic between the two characters is intriguing, both are minorities in the wealthy city but they are divided by their outlooks. Jo seems ambivalent to race and is actually dating a white guy. Such issues greatly irk Micah, who clearly has a chip on his shoulder. He believes firmly that Black History Month is in February because it’s the shortest month of the year. Jo suggests Sunday afternoon at the museum, Micah suggests they’d be more comfortable going to church or eating fried chicken. Is Micah enjoying the idea of stealing a white man’s woman? Clearly they’re becoming charmed by each other.

Race is one of the side issues in “Medicine for Melancholy.” There’s talk of gentrification, the shrinking low income population, that almost seems at odds with the love story. If anything however it does make our characters seem real. It’s only in one seemingly detached scene of people meeting to talk about housing projects that we realize Jenkins is making a minor social statement here – it just happens to be mentioned in the credits too. It’s also a movie dedicated to the city of San Francisco. Despite Micah’s hang-ups, he’s quick to declare his love for the city, as is the director with some beautifully shot architecture.

Micah’s racial hang-ups and Jo’s moral conflict (or lack of) do become a little irritating at times, but these are two characters that do become endearing once we get to know them. “Medicine for Melancholy” is a well choreographed affair that will leave viewers with a touch of warmth. It’s limited and uneventful, but it’s certainly impressionistic. The soulful indie-rock score was a nice touch too.

Verdict: 4 Stars Highly Recommended

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD