Medicine for Melancholy (2008)

Directed by: Barry Jenkins | 88 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Wyatt Cenac, Tracey Heggins, Melissa Bisagni, DeMorge Brown

In ‘Medicine for Melancholy’, we experience 24 hours with the young African-Americans Jo and Micah. We follow them through the quiet Sunday streets of San Francisco, visiting the Museum of Modern Art and dancing in an alternative club. We visit their homes, where we rummage through their things to get to know them better.

Maybe this plot description doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but since ‘Before Sunrise’ we know that a city walk can be quite captivating. As long as the characters touch us. In that respect we have two fine characters with Micah and Jo. They are likeable and smart young adults, who have conversations that are about something. And if they’re not about anything, those conversations are still entertaining.

While ‘Before Sunrise’ mainly talks about life and love, ‘Medicine for Melancholy’ also addresses two social themes. For Micah, his African-American descent determines his identity, for Jo, race is irrelevant. This difference in vision reappears several times, without being brought to a head and without the film losing its romantic tone.

The second theme is less interesting: the housing policy of the municipality of San Francisco. The fact that this topic comes up can be explained – the black/white contrast has been replaced by a poor/rich contrast – but that doesn’t make the details of local politics any more interesting. Fortunately, this theme receives by far the least attention.

Apart from that minus, ‘Medicine for Melancholy’ is an exemplary romantic drama. In every respect the film is to die for. The quasi nonchalant visualization (culminating in a graceful ride on a merry-go-round), the smooth editing, the wonderful music and dry humor, the acting. And in the short amount of time we spend with them, we completely lose our hearts to Jo and Micah.

Debut director Barry Jenkins took a risk by blatantly using “Before Sunrise” as the inspiration for his own film. The risk pays off. In terms of quality, ‘Medicine for Melancholy’ is hardly inferior to its source of inspiration. Medicine against melancholy and a boost for head and heart. Movie to fall in love with.