If Beale Street Could Talk - Review

If Beale Street Could Talk

Director Barry Jenkins who’s 2016 film “Moonlight” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, enlists actress Regina King (films Jerry McGuire and Ray - television Southland and American Crime), along with actor Colman Domingo currently in the AMC’ Network’s “Fear the Walking Dead” to combining their talents to star in the ensemble story based on acclaimed author James Baldwin’s novel “If Beale Street Could Talk”. A sure fire contender for Oscar nominations in January.

Set in early-1970s Harlem, “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a moving love story of both a couple's unbreakable bond and the African-American family's empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. Through the unique intimacy and power of cinema, “If Beale Street Could Talk” honors Baldwin’s prescient words and imagery, charting the emotional currents navigated in an unforgiving and racially biased world as the filmmaker poetically shows how love and humanity endure.

REVIEW: From my perspective “If Beale Street Could Talk” beckons back to a time when people actually fell in love with one another. Yeah I know, it’s a bit cynical for me as a lifelong bachelor to suggest I have some expertise on what love is really about. But I can certainly say I would hope, I would even dare to fantasize, maybe even dream away in my thoughts that more people felt like “Tish” and “Fonny” in love. The way they looked at each other. The way they held hands with each other. The way they comfort each other with words of love. Their love seemingly spirited them away as if they were the only two people in the world.

With some of the most imaginative delicate visceral displays of human emotion I have seen in a film “Beale Street” examines raw unwavering commitment. A commitment made even more compelling as we watch these two young lovers navigate the intimate dynamics of dysfunctional “in laws” and also through the more life changing dynamic of trying to survive racial bigotry and societal injustices. With scenes abound that were both endearingly subtle - tender and others bold - audacious we see Tish and Fonny manage all of these emotional landmines and gauntlets and yet manage to endure it all. In the end finding a way to prevail.

This is a dramatically intense film that is very patient in telling its tale. With scenes after scenes of eclectic beautiful colors, all the while seeing Director Jenkins create a generously vivid film of how that undefinable DNA bond we all seem to carry can mysteriously galvanize two strangers in life into becoming one.

Actress Regina King gives a strong performance as the mother "Sharon and the "center of gravity for all things good" in helping guide and support her daughter though her difficulties of Fonny's arrest. I have no doubt Miss King will hear her name as a nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her solid work here.  

But in the end its the overall film itself “If Beale Street Could Talk” that everyone must see. From its use of wonderful music that ranges from haunting to angelic, an amazing deeply personal screenplay and a richly luxurious cinematography, Director Jenkins and the entire cast combined their collective talents to creating a meticulously magical, beautiful and elegant story that will last through the test of time as one of the best films for 2018.

There are many captivating moment's in this film. Paraphrasing one in particular was when Tish was having some doubts about her relationship with Fonny. Sharon her mother seeing her daughter chest fallen reaches out to her daughter's face to assure her that everyone who has ever been born was born because they trusted someone to love.............."you have to trust love now".

I suggest if you love good films as I do then you need to "trust love" also and see “If Beale Street Could Talk”. 

4.00 Stars