Really Love (2020) Poster

(2020)

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7/10
I wanted to love this movie beautifully shot love the actors but...
WADancer30 August 2021
The script writing was not all there we needed more conversations between the love interests but beautiful vignettes of them having a good time and when it came down to it there was no communication between the characters to make the ending land.
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5/10
Authenticity Matters
msllyde6 September 2021
I am an classic love story movie watcher.

I can say the producers favorite movie was Love Jones.

I enjoyed moments in the movie but there were so many undeveloped moments that left you wondering. Also there were so many mimics to a classic love movie that can't be rewritten or duplicated in any way.

My desire is our beautiful people to be their own creative geniuses and utilize their own vivid imagination not anyone else's.
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7/10
A cool little artsy indie flick
seansoulo7326 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A cool little artsy indie flick. I'm old enough to have seen "Love Jones" as a twenty-something young man, in love at the time, with a young lady who lived in another state. Maintaining such a relationship is difficult to say the least. The long distance, young love theme is not new and was most recently revisited in "The Photograph," which was also a good flick; but didn't compare to "Love Jones" either.

The black, bohemian urbanites of the world will appreciate this film; especially the millineals whom it targets. Love is a universal theme, so there's something for everyone in this film, but because I've seen it done and redone before, on a grander and slightly better scale, it was again, just a cool flick in my opinion. That fire between Nia Long and Larenz Tate back in '97 that lit up the silver screen is tough to match!
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6/10
Really Love should be called Is This Really Love
AgeOfAquarius7 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wanted to "Really Love" so many things about this film. The cast was perfectly picked. The cinematography is outstanding. It's extremely wonderful to see young Black people in such a positive light. Unfortunately the script isn't strong enough with all of the good previously stated. Honestly the story never really developed the love between the two leads. It's not so much because the relationship was rushed as in because there was no real dialogue between the leads. So as the "relationship" progresses and then falls apart you're left wondering not "Really Love" but more like "Is This Really Love?" Also way too many similarities to Love Jones. Unfortunately this film lacks the substance and storytelling that made Love Jones that film we will love always.
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6/10
Trying too Hard
ptddgywg4 September 2021
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.
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7/10
Smooth, relaxing and natural
sumeda-dealwis21 September 2021
The acting was natural and very good. I love the the fact that the movie goes on for just over 1.5 hours, but captures the essence without dragging on. Easy to watch and not too dramatic to the point of it being unrealistic or a typical Hollywood style BS. Overall a good movie to watch.
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4/10
Great cinematography, lacking storyline
blaxblew28 August 2021
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.
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8/10
Passion and Honesty
Tri-State_Skater26 August 2021
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.
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6/10
Cute
exceladeogun3 November 2021
Really love

A beautiful cast and beautiful cinematography. Love the racial exposure the movie packs too. The soundtrack was also gorgeous, the wardrobe was splendid.

The leads had amazing chemistry, if only they gave them dialogues that helped translate their love to viewers and the storytelling was done better.
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5/10
Ending sucked!!
mskadams-7862828 August 2021
I was enjoying the movie. But then it just ended. No resolution. I kinda felt robbed. Maybe we could get a part 2.
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8/10
It's nearly 5:30 am. I'm tired, and this is what I'm doing.
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.
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7/10
Mostly Amazing
anthonyoliverdavis20 February 2023
I don't usually watch films of this genre. Let me tell you this film was amazing. The casting was perfect. The characters had effective chemistry between each other. The art was beautiful and beautifully captured by the camera. The colors and the texture! The music was so emotion provoking it stands on its own. I downloaded the entire album and played it all night and the next day.

Where the movie fails...From the beginning I did not buy her interest in him. I can see it in her eyes and the things that she says. She held this all the way to the end of the movie. If I saw it on the first date I had to think...did he see it and if he did why didn't it come up for discussion? What kept him going with this relationship? He stance was a bit of a distraction but the rest of the movie was so put together I could look past it.
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5/10
Intense
guyadiangold2 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This film was intense and in the end, their love story broke my heart.

There was no way the relationship could work between them, their paths were just too different, as were their love languages and communication styles.

Stevie's mother said it all at the end, he just wasn't ready for her, and though they would always have love for one another, he was only meant to be in her life for a season.
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7/10
Want to know the quickest way to get into someone's panties? Talk about art. Yep. That pretty much sums up this movie.
Romedie22 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Besides that, I loved how it focused on supporting Black art and local Black artists. I loved how the movie showcased a Black man struggling to find his way through the art industry while dealing with the stigma of being a full-time artist. On the other side, it showcased a hardworking Black woman who is pursuing her law degree.

I also love the fact that they focus on the beauty and artistry of Black people. The lighting in the film radiated on the casts' skin and dramatized the beauty of their skin pigment. I absolutely love the scoring in this film. I feel like it sets the tone for each scene.

I feel like the discussion between Stevie, Isaiah and her parents was really important. It's okay to not want to work for money.

The ending was not for me. I felt genuinely happy when Stevie decided to live for herself instead of lust. Once a person realizes that their love life is taking over their career, they need to end it expeditiously.
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2/10
Don't waste your time
BryanMaurice2 September 2021
Thought it was going to be great the cinematography was great and the look was amazing....however once the movie really started.....It uses black tropes just to use them with no real reason or motivation as to why.... Pace was slow.. Characters were undeveloped and the story was underwhelming. The ending could have redeemed this film but it was no resolution no closure. A tota waste of an hour and a half. You can totally tell why the Lead actor had been an Etra his entire career. N ot even Michael Ely can save this film. Wondering how this got picked up by Netflix. Totally a first time effort and it shows.
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9/10
Beautiful & Authentic
nrgigaba26 August 2021
Really Love, I fell in love with this movie. Angel Kristi Williams and co-writer Felicia Pride wrote a beautiful love story. The chemistry between Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing is just amazing, I've got no clue how these two actors did not fall in love for real.

This is a must-watch.
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5/10
Promising yet unfilled
CJXzoic197025 July 2022
The blatant comparisons to the 90s neo soul classic film Love Jones notwithstanding, the typecasting was underwhelming with Michael Ealy and Kofi himself was a continuation of his Ralph Angel character. More substance and originality would have benefitted this promising piece greatly. Their heart was in the right place. Support black art!
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10/10
Black Love
michelleoverton27 August 2021
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!
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4/10
Eeeh it's a no for me
myfdfjr1 September 2023
The cinematography was beautiful and a great beautiful black cast however there was no chemistry. There was no character development. The storyline was not developed at all. I just didn't feel anything. There was no real dialogue between the two. It was very slow. They very clearly tired to recreate a love jones type of story which is my favorite movie but it was a fail. That classic shouldn't be touched especially if it's not done correctly. I always want to support black films and I appreciate the effort. I wanted to like it especially because of that beautiful man kofi but it just did nothing for me. When it's a really good love story you should be able to feel the chemistry through the tv and I didn't.
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9/10
A DC Love Story that feels Authentic
epdfilm-125 August 2021
Finally a love story set in Washington, D. C. that actually includes DC, i.e. The film interweaves the people, the culture, the places, etc. And it doesn't feel like it was forced or an afterthought. Writing sounded true, directing and acting felt natural. Edits weren't jarring. Score was cool. And the DP and Colorist kicked ass.

Kudos to everyone involved.
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10/10
What a Story!
sheandolen26 August 2021
Phenomenal movie. BUT, i was distraught about the way it ended. I felt like Stevie should have come back home to Isaiah because it was crystal clear that she really wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. But it was still a well planned, well played movie. Can we see a part 2, please?
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10/10
I saw this on Netflix when I was browsing it a lil' bit and this popped up!
juanmuscle27 August 2021
I didn't read the thing but it looked cool , I am a sucker for romantic interludes , no matter the age, color or sex! Lol, I love the idea that two people are working through something to get to something like love, is love wrought out of work? Lol, I don't know but the hand that worked through this story to deliver this lil' gem of a film imo, is marvelous , I have never heard about this writer , but I guess she does stuff! And I love this one, I truly believe the pen that wielded this thing is a nice one , that is the hand holding this pen is very nice! I can't wait to see more from these people and I shant forget about this gem for a while, great job, good stuff!
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10/10
What in the love jones
lashe1727 August 2021
This is love jones but step your game up and make a part 2 next year and I would love love the movie life The cast love kofi omg!
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10/10
Black is Beautiful
tbrinson-9978328 August 2021
Beautiful actors, beautiful art, beautiful story, and beautiful cinematography.
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9/10
Beautiful Authentic Story
jddupont-1781331 August 2021
I absolutely loved the authentic feel of this movie. The characters were relatable and the actors caused you to connect with them and root for them .

Beautifully filmed . I just craved one look between Stevie and Isaiah at the end . For a movie that had such a sweet feel it just dropped us too abruptly. Stevie turning and smiling at Isaiah would have said everything .
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