The Film:

While Medicine for Melancholy clearly wears its influences on its sleeve, I found it to be an engaging film about two accidental lovers spending a day together after a booze-filled one-night stand. First time director Barry Jenkins did one thing that despite anything else, makes us care about these two characters enough to follow them for 90 minutes: he made them real.

I have a problem with studio produced romantic comedies. I am not against romance or love, it’s that the characters are so fake, so one-dimensional, to the point where you cannot relate to them. Those films the studios annually produce to tap into the female demographic feature a cornball romance with characters that are usually rich, good job (that nobody in real life has), and they always end with love blossoming. I know they’re not made for any artistic reasons, purely for commercial gain, but do we have to accept them?

Jenkins effortlessly glides these characters through the day-after the one-night stand as they get to know each other by doing random activities. There’s really no plot, and for a film like this, it’s okay. These characters talk about issues and stereotypes, right and wrongs, as any two reasonably educated people would. There inquires are natural. Micah (Wyatt Cenac) is asked after venting on San Francisco by Jo (Tracey Heggins) why he just doesn’t get up and leave the city. He answers, “I love this city. I hate this city, but I love this city.” It’s a perfect answer.

Micah has some interesting takes on what’s going on within the community. It might be a strict observation on San Fran, but anyone can relate in any city. I felt this way too. I think young adults under 30 are focused on current events more, and are eager to talk, challenge, and have there voice heard. Even if Micah pushed it too far, Jo is equally aware of the things that affect her and challenges him. Nobody is right or wrong, even if Micah seems biased in his views on art, gender, and race. Jo acts as a devil’s advocate to Micah’s propositions. Race is pretty important to the film, as Micah brings up time and time again. Stereotypes are a damned thing. We accept them, yet fight them. Outside of a few films, I was fully relieved to see two young African-Americans that are defying typical movie versions of blacks. They’re engaging, smart, as any 20-somethings are. I thank Jenkins again for writing two great characters. There are not stereotypes of black people; no hip-hop clothes, no slang, no nothing that would make this as an “urban film”.

Tyler Perry take note: this film centers on two young African-Americans facing real love and real issues within their community that anyone can relate too. Maybe they’re written as too shy; a minor quibble on the film, but Barry Jenkins could be a very exciting new voice in American independent cinema. Medicine for Melancholy is a breathe of fresh air, even if it wears its influences like Manhattan, Do the Right Thing, and Before Sunrise on its sleeve. In fact, that maybe is part of its charm.

The DVD:

Audio/Video: Director Barry Jenkins has a unique visual style for the film, so it’s hard to properly judge on DVD. The film goes from a semi-black and white look, to a slow creeping of natural colors in the middle of the film, but everything looks as good as it did theatrically. Clear, crisp, I have no complaints. The DD 5.1 audio is fine for a talk-based film. Little bass, little rear speaker activity, but it accurately reproduces the film’s track.

Interview: Running about 20 minutes, director Barry Jenkins is interviewed at the London Film Festival. It’s pretty decent.

Conclusion: For those who like interesting, intelligent, small films, give this a spin.

The Film: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The DVD: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Time flies when you are watching movies-a lot of movies, and 2009 has already reached its halfway point. Here at Killer Film, we try to catch as much of the films being released as possible, and we would like to present our 2009 Mid Year Report. Keep it mind, this is only what we have seen, and we can safely say we wish we’ve seen more, but we do still have the second half of the year to catch up. Without further ado, here’s our take of 2009 so far.

Quick Thoughts on the Year so far…

Donny: While I love horror, drama, documentary, and every other genre of film out there, my favorite by far is comedy.  In my opinion there is nothing better than watching good joke unfold on screen, but on the other hand if said joke doesn’t work (Year One) then my beloved genre falls flat on its face.  Luckily, this year we’ve had some amazing comedies grace us with their undeniable funny.  So far my favorites include; The Hangover, Adventureland, I Love You, Man, and the awesome direct to DVD 18 Year Old Virgin.  I’m also looking forward to Funny People and I want to see mega-hottie Megan Fox in Jennifer’s Body.  Lets hope the rest of the year offers up the good to make this year more than mediocre.  

Jon: I think so far, it’s been a decent year as of July 1st. A few select films are really worth seeing, others are okay. I suspect the rest of the year will have great documentaries, as I haven’t seen much so far released this year. I have enjoyed seeing studios taking chances on unique films like Watchmen, Observe and Report, and The Hangover, and that’s refreshing. 3-D films have been big and constantly pushed, a trend we will see more of. For the most part, 2009 started off slow, for me, and is just now picking up. See you all at the end of the year!

Serena: Being a huge horror aficionada, I was disappointed by the initial lackluster horror films slashing their way to the big screen, but I was quite surprised by how exceptionally well done the mainstream horror fare was this year. I also was blown away by some hidden gems like Pontypool, Dead Snow and The Children (my fave film of 2009 so far) that all reminded us why foreign films are owning the horror genre these days.  However, most of the big budget anticipated action films of 2009 have all left a bad taste in this reviewer’s mouth.  So far 2009’s films are a far cry from last year’s jam-packed list, but I’m looking forward to being entertained by Jake West’s Doghouse, Diablo Cody’s anticipated horror follow-up, Jennifer’s Body and to see how Juno is going to react to being left for dead in a cave in The Descent 2. 

Now, to the good stuff….

Best Films

Donny: The Hangover, I Love You, Man, Adventureland , Che

Jon: Pixar’s Up, Goodbye Solo, and Che

Serena: The Children,  Pontypool, The Last House on the Left, Drag me to Hell

Worst Films

Donny: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Bride Wars, Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Jon: Pink Panther 2, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li

Serena: Bride Wars, Obsessed and Transformers 2 (sorry Donny! )

One Honorable Mention Pick

Donny: Downloading Nancy

Jon: The Girlfriend Experience 

Serena:  Downloading Nancy

Best Comedy

Donny: I Love You, Man

Jon: I Love You, Man

Serena: I Love You, Man

Best Horror:

Donny: Drag Me to Hell

Jon: Drag Me to Hell

Serena: The Children

Best Limited Release/Direct-to-DVD

Donny: 18 Year Old Virgin

Jon: Medicine for Melancholy

Serena: Pontypool

Best Direct-to-DVD Horror Film

Donny: Laid to Rest

Jon: Laid to Rest

Serena: Acolytes

Best 2008 Film Seen in 2009

Donny: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

Jon: Waltz with Bashir

Serena: How to Alienate People and Lose Friends

One Film We Regrettably Missed 

Donny: Pontypool

Jon: Hunger

Serena: Adventureland

One Film We are Glad We Missed

Donny: Dance Flick

Jon: Dance Flick 

Serena: The Unborn

Well, we said ours, so what are yours? Tell us in the forums, comment below, or email us at donny@killerfilm.com and jon@killerfilm.com . Keep it here at Killer Film for more reviews, features, interviews, and news, and see you at the movies!

While Medicine for Melancholy clearly wears its influences on its sleeve, I found it to be an engaging film about two accidental lovers spending a day together after a booze-filled one-night stand. First time director Barry Jenkins did one thing that despite anything else, makes us care about these two characters enough to follow them for 90 minutes: he made them real.

I have a problem with studio produced romantic comedies. I am not against romance or love, it’s that the characters are so fake, so one-dimensional, to the point where they not relatable. Those films the studios annually produce to tap into the female demographic feature a cornball romance with characters that are usually rich, good job (that nobody in real life has), and they always end with love blossoming. I know they’re not made for any artistic reasons, purely for commercial gain, but do we have to accept them?

Jenkins effortlessly glides these characters through the day-after the one-night stand as they get to know each other by doing random activities. There’s really no plot, and for a film like this, it’s okay. These characters talk about issues and stereotypes, right and wrongs, as any two reasonably educated people would. There inquires are natural. Micah (Wyatt Cenac) is asked after venting on San Francisco by Jo (Tracey Heggins) why he just doesn’t get up and leave the city. He answers, “I love this city. I hate this city, but I love this city.” It’s a perfect answer.

Micah has some interesting takes on what’s going on within the community. It might be a strict observation on San Fran, but it’s relatable to anyone in any city. I felt this way too. I think young adults under 30 are focused on current events more, and are eager to talk, challenge and have there voice heard. Even if Micah pushed it too far, Jo is equally aware of the things that affect her and challenges him. Nobody is right or wrong, even if Micah seems biased in his views on art, gender, and race. Jo acts as a devil’s advocate to Micah’s propositions. Race is pretty important to the film, as Micah brings up time and time again. Stereotypes are a damned thing. We accept them, yet fight them. Outside of a few films, I was fully relieved to see two young African-Americans that are defying typical movie versions of blacks. They’re engaging, smart, as any 20-somethings are. I thank Jenkins again for writing two great characters. There are not stereotypes of black people; no hip-hop clothes, no slang, no nothing that would make this as an “urban film”.

Tyler Perry take note: this film centers on two young African-Americans facing real love and real issues within their community that is relatable to anyone. Maybe they’re written as too shy; a minor quibble on the film, but Barry Jenkins could be a very exciting new voice in American independent cinema. Medicine for Melancholy is a breathe of fresh air, even if it wears its influences like Manhattan, Do the Right Thing, and Before Sunrise on its sleeve. In fact, that maybe is part of its charm.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars