MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY (2009) (***1/2)

Guy wakes up after a night of partying in a strange bed with a beautiful woman. What does he do? This simple scenario is what starts Barry Jenkins' smart, sexy and sweet romance. Disregard the pretentious vibe of the title; Jenkins' main goal is to tell an accessible modern romance. The fact that he also says something about race relations and the changing dynamics of San Francisco is just part of his two characters' personalities.

Micah (Wyatt Cenac, TV's THE DAILY SHOW WITH JOHN STEWART) doesn't know what to say to Jo (Tracey Heggins) when they first wake up. It takes him till they're dressed and outside before he speaks at all. They decide to share a cab. He makes every effort but she doesn't respond. She leaves the cab at her apartment and he thinks that it will be the last that he sees her. But luck strikes and she has left her wallet behind. When he checks her license she hadn't even give him her correct name when he asked. He checks her profile out on MySpace and then rides his bike to her place to return her wallet and to get a second chance.

He gets in the door. But it turns out that she has a boyfriend. But that doesn't stop Micah from charming his way into spending the day with her. They run an errand together and go to a museum then they head back to his place. There is no plot per se beyond that. Jenkins has an acute ear for how people talk when they're getting to know each other. He especially knows how men and women are different. Micah is trying hard to sell himself and Jo just wants Micah to want to get to know her.

Now back to that title. It fits, but why make people think your film is "good for them" when it really has the taste of sweet charm? The lofty sounding moniker makes it seem like an artsy fartsy flick, but it's really for any audience. It's smart because it has smart characters that have something to say about race and the city they live in. I must admit these elements come off a tad preachy from time to time but Jenkins always roots it in his characters' personalities. This is why the romance is the central pull of the film. The title also refers to the mood of the characters. Micah is getting over an ugly breakup and Jo seems very unhappy with her current relationship. Are they the right medicine to cure each others' blues?

An interesting conflict between Micah and Jo will change the direction of the entire story. In this conflict, Jenkins says a lot about these characters, as well as his larger themes of race. Micah questions Jo, but pay very close attention to her answer or even better, lack of answer. It cuts to the core of who they are. Will their relationship last or will it be simply a two-night stand. Like the beginning of any real relationship, the film allows for discovery. It's more romantic that way.