If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

95% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 231 reviews)

Runtime: 119 minutes

Directed by: Barry Jenkins

Starring: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris

From: Annapurna Pictures

I doubt this will win the Oscar, but that does not mean this isn't worthwhile:

As I saw Barry Jenkins' last film on the big screen and loved Moonlight, it only seemed logical to me for myself to make a journey to see his new picture theatrically. I don't love this as much, but just saying that is more of a slight then it should be as Beale Street is still very good.

I am not familiar with the James Baldwin novel this is based on; opening text does explain the novel's title and why the movie takes place in New York City instead of Beale Street in Memphis, or anywhere in Memphis, Tennessee to be exact. That street has had a number of important moments in black history, you see, and in addition there was an ancient blues song from W.C. Handy called Beale Street Blues. The plot is in the early 70's and follows a young couple, Tish and “Fonnie”; they've known each other since they were kids and the friendship turned into something more. Not everyone in the family approves of that union and oh yeah, there's the big issue of Fonnie's incarceration for a crime he did not commit. The film does many flashbacks and flash forwards to tell its tale; eventually it is revealed the charge is serious and unfortunately, bigotry lead to him being arrested.

There is also the added complication of Tish and Fonnie becoming parents while he is in jail. Things seem hopeless for them as it seems like the deck is stacked against them when it comes to him getting a fair trial in court, yet their love perseveres and you get to see they are a devoted couple through both the good and bad times. It's not two hours of misery that is rough to get through... among the potent scenes where serious moments happen and there are potent bits that can be shocking, you see the two be happy and enjoy their courtship.

Some famous faces (Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Dave Franco, Finn Wittrock, etc.) appear in brief roles but I have to note that the lead and main supporting characters-who I mostly was unfamiliar with-all did great, whether it was KiKi Layne and Stephan James as the couple or the likes of Colman Domingo and Teyonah Parris as family members. Regina King has her moments where she shone quite brightly. Like in Moonlight, the film is both gorgeous to look at and experience aurally, and I am not too surprised considering that James Laxton and Nicholas Britell returned as cinematographer and composer, respectively. Naturally, the score was jazz-infused; the soundtrack at times has classic jazz from the likes of Miles Davis & John Coltrane... along with deep cut R&B selections from Al Green and Nina Simone.

I presume this won't win three Oscars like Moonlight did; it does not matter as I still feel this is worth seeing, whether theatrically or at home in the future.