If Beale Street Could Talk - Movie Review
If Beale Street Could Talk
Plot: A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime.
Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King
Director: Barry Jenkins
Certificate: 15 (infrequent strong language, strong sex)
Runtime: 117 minutes
Release Date: Friday 8th February 2019
A little over two years ago, Barry Jenkins launched out of the directorial gates with his arthouse masterpiece, Moonlight, picking up the illustrious Best Picture Award (eventually) along with it. And now, Jenkins returns adapting the ground-breaking novel from James Baldwin. If Beale Street Could Talk may not quite reach the euphoric highs of Jenkins' previous work but it comes damn close.
If Beale Street Could Talk is set in early 70s Harlem as a young and loved up couple are tragically separated after Fonny (Stephan James) is falsely accused of rape and sent to jail leaving his pregnant fiancé to struggle and clear his name. Whilst at the centre of the film is a crime story about searching for truth amongst injustice, that happens to be the least interesting aspect of Beale Street. Instead, the captivation lies in the heartfelt and pure romance between Tish and Fonny. Both leads (Layne and James) are given hefty material to work with but through Jenkins' deft approach, their personalities and love shine like beacon of righteousness. KiKi Lane is a startling revelation as Tish as she perfectly balances her desperation to free her love whilst still maintaining a calm disposition as she faces having to bring a new life into this world as a single parent. Layne is softly spoken and tender in every scene sharing some of the most natural and authentic romantic chemistry with James. As for Fonny, Stephan James is simply wonderful in the role bringing a blend of pain and fear but also a gentle soul who is consumed by his love for Tish. Through James Laxton's intimate cinematography typically consisting of profile shots with the characters staring adoringly into the camera, Jenkins plants us in the middle of their timeless romance for us to experience in a sensual and personal manner.
Plot: A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime.
Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King
Director: Barry Jenkins
Certificate: 15 (infrequent strong language, strong sex)
Runtime: 117 minutes
Release Date: Friday 8th February 2019
A little over two years ago, Barry Jenkins launched out of the directorial gates with his arthouse masterpiece, Moonlight, picking up the illustrious Best Picture Award (eventually) along with it. And now, Jenkins returns adapting the ground-breaking novel from James Baldwin. If Beale Street Could Talk may not quite reach the euphoric highs of Jenkins' previous work but it comes damn close.
If Beale Street Could Talk is set in early 70s Harlem as a young and loved up couple are tragically separated after Fonny (Stephan James) is falsely accused of rape and sent to jail leaving his pregnant fiancé to struggle and clear his name. Whilst at the centre of the film is a crime story about searching for truth amongst injustice, that happens to be the least interesting aspect of Beale Street. Instead, the captivation lies in the heartfelt and pure romance between Tish and Fonny. Both leads (Layne and James) are given hefty material to work with but through Jenkins' deft approach, their personalities and love shine like beacon of righteousness. KiKi Lane is a startling revelation as Tish as she perfectly balances her desperation to free her love whilst still maintaining a calm disposition as she faces having to bring a new life into this world as a single parent. Layne is softly spoken and tender in every scene sharing some of the most natural and authentic romantic chemistry with James. As for Fonny, Stephan James is simply wonderful in the role bringing a blend of pain and fear but also a gentle soul who is consumed by his love for Tish. Through James Laxton's intimate cinematography typically consisting of profile shots with the characters staring adoringly into the camera, Jenkins plants us in the middle of their timeless romance for us to experience in a sensual and personal manner.
However, with Fonny being locked away, Tish surrounds herself with her family and in some truly magnificent scenes in which the ensemble come together to deliver a powerhouse acting masterclass, this is when If Beale Street Could Talk transcends a sweet and charming love story to a moving, powerful and wondrous slice of fiction translating beautifully to cinema. It was only a few years ago since Denzel Washington tore down the barrier between theatre and film with his pitch-perfect adaptation of August Wilson's Fences and in a select number of scenes, Jenkins removes the fancy cinematography and background score and allows his actors to do what they do best; act. Unfortunately, a lot of these awe-inspiring scenes only appear within the first act and as a result, the overall engagement begins to dwindle at times. As aforementioned, the central crime story wasn't as captivating as it could have been and started to draw away from the loving romance. A sequence in which Regina King (who gives one of the most beautiful supporting performances in recent years) travels to Puerto Rico to confront Fonny's accuser, whilst executed to near perfection, felt rather out of place to the gentle and wholesome family discussions. However, there is still so much to admire within the craft of Beale Street. Nicholas Britell composes a magnificent swooping score embracing the love of Fonny and Tish as well as bringing the hustle and bustle of Beale Street and 70s Harlem to life with jazzy undertones. Tish's family is undeniably lovely to watch interact and avoids all dull and unoriginal clichés.
Beale Street is a masterclass in acting, directing, composing, framing, lighting. This list could go on. The only issues lie in minor dips in pacing and a crime story that feels incomparable to the soaring love story that sweeps you off your feet. Barry Jenkins is well and truly on his way to becoming an all time great.
Luke's Verdict: 8.5/10
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