Apr 25, 2019
Hi everyone!
I think that does it for all the bad films this week, so today I’m turning my attention to a film I missed last year, and which is thankfully now available on streaming services. I loved “Moonlight” so much that not only did I review it last year (Episode #037), but recently reposted it as a throwback review during this year’s Oscar season (Episode #406). I still have yet to catch “Medicine for Melancholy”, but it’s definitely on the list. And I’m already excited for whatever might be in store from Jenkins for the future.
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Here we go!
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Today’s movie is “If Beale Street Could Talk”, the Annapurna Pictures historical drama written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on the novel by James Baldwin. Set in Harlem during the 1970s, the film follows the lives of Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne) and Alonzo ‘Fonny’ Hunt (Stephan James), a young couple who grew up together, fell in love with one another, then deal with separation when Alonzo is falsely incarcerated for sexual assault. Now their families must do what they can to fight for his release, while Tish brings their baby boy into the world.
No spoilers.
I read a lot of books. If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll see it’s a bizarre collection of philosophy, detective fiction, science fiction, fantasy, satire, poetry, and social commentary. I try to seek out works that provide different and unique perspectives, especially marginalized voices before the Internet. One of those authors is James Baldwin, whose life allowed him to exist both within and outside of many communities. Whether it was novels, essays, plays, or poems, Baldwin always delivered his unique perspective, establishing a firm realism before causing us to question its underlying structures. His questions and insights are still valid for today’s society, still struggling to deal with race and sexuality and religion. It makes a Baldwin adaptation a perfect follow up to the themes explored in “Moonlight”, and by taking us back to 1970s Harlem, can also show up how much simply hasn’t changed today.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” operates on two levels. We’re brought into the middle of the story, with Tish telling an imprisoned Fonny that they have a child on the way. This story continues, as she tells her family, and works to free Fonny from jail. As the present story progresses, however, Tish takes us back to key moments in their lives, from a childhood spent together, up to the day he is incarcerated and awaiting trial, finding a way to first create an undeniable chemistry between the two characters, then continue to deepen that relationship, especially in the face of a structurally racist police and judicial system. Every time they flash back to their pre-arrest relationship, it makes returning to Fonny’s incarceration that much more difficult. You don’t just see that pain, but feel it between Layne and James, accentuated by Jenkins’ use of actors directly facing the camera; his use of a soft, contemplative score; and weaving in just the right lines from Baldwin’s source material.
I would be remiss not to discuss Regina King’s performance as Tish’s mother, Sharon, doing arguably more than Fonny’s own family to try and free him. She nails the discreet, but important role as Tish’s main support as she becomes a mother, owning her solo scenes, but never taking the focus away from Tish and Fonny. The rest of the casting is also great, with Colman Domingo as Tish’s father Joseph, and Teyonah Parris as Tish’s sister Ernestine, along with smaller parts for Ed Skrein, Diego Luna, and Dave Franco. The costumes and sets were also spectacular, helping to tell the story in its timeline by nailing the fashions and tones of the time. It is a beautiful film for a beautiful story, even one that also struggles with ongoing tragedy. A perspective that Baldwin and Jenkins both seem to understand well.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” is another incredible film from Barry Jenkins, adapting Baldwin in a way that respects the source material within the confines of the film medium. Using his characteristic style, and assembling an excellent cast, Jenkins shows us how much has changed and how much has not, and what we might learn along the way. Fans of either Barry Jenkins or James Baldwin should definitely check out this film, along with anyone interested in the time period.
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% (CERTIFIED FRESH)
Metacritic: 87 (MUST SEE)
One Movie Punch: 10/10
“If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018) is rated Rand is currently playing on Hulu.