Two frames from Medicine for Melancholy.
I guess I should put out this disclaimer before starting: I am a lover of all romance genres, drama/comedy/Sci-fi/Adventure/faith based the whole bit. It can even be foreign without subtitles. Of course this is typical, the girl that loves romance, where haven’t we heard that before? But I gladly join my troop. No matter what package it comes in, if its tied with a bow of romance, I'm sold! Theres just something about the fantasy of it all that I adorn. The whimsical per happen chance and random meetings that flourish into passionate, painful, complicated, zany, unpredictable, teased love. I mean what hooker wouldn't want to meet a billionaire and be treated to his lavish lifestyle (with pay) and who doesn’t want the smart chocolate dude from the hood to teach them hiphop dance moves and serenade them to ‘True Colours’. As exaggerated and doomed as they may be, that hope for companionship and belief in love gets me every time, and so do the cheesy one liners. They’re priceless. I think this may be my replacement, instead of watching a good cartoon or Disney movie as a 20-something year old.
Okay this has become an ode to the movie genre romance, which isn’t the aim. *thinks: maybe I’ll write an ode to her and the lessons she’s taught me thus far, for all of us that share the same appreciation.*
Anyway, romance themed movies like M4M, top my list not only because of the quaint interactions between characters, the pursuit and heart of a willing man and the likely but unlikely 24hours of events, but mostly because of the truly melancholy ending. Although escapism is the mother of a good film, realism is its drunk brother that gives you practicality and truth. I respect a realistic ending, even in romance. And when I get it, I am promptly meandered back to the real world, just as these characters were. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always present a well written happily ever after. C’est la vie.
It amazes me how good writers make you fall in love with the wrong character and cosign immoral acts, with a twisted belief that despite their crooked actions, it all can be justified and made right. Shonda does it to us all the time. These two characters are so wrong and cross boundaries that should be marked in bright red paint, yet I couldn’t help but watch through parted fingers.
I don't know whether I'd recommend or rather who I’d recommend this to. I'd rather not feed ammo to a critic that doesn't get it and have to rush to its defense; admittedly it may not be everyones taste. Although I must say, several film festival wins and nominations is enough self defence. M4M is a sensuous art piece and a nod to real life in its subtlety, which is refreshing. Once more, it blows most of the mainstream videography I’ve seen, out of the water! But, I’m biased.
