Nominated For: Best Supporting Actress; Regina King, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
Won: Best Supporting Actress; Regina King.
In early 1970s Harlem, 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. 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.
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins as his follow-up to the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk is based on the acclaimed James Baldwin novel. Jenkins actually wrote both screenplays around the same time while on a trip to Europe and received authorization from the Baldwin estate to adapt If Beale Street Could Talk while filming Moonlight. Now, if Jenkins' passion for the source material somehow doesn't come across onscreen, I can personally vouch that the man makes an excellent case for caring deeply about it in person. I don't say this to brag about attending a screening in which Barry Jenkins was in attendance for a Q&A afterward, but because his genuine care and attention for these characters, this story, and even the novel itself would have been quite evident to me regardless of whether I'd met the man or not. It just so happens that I had an excellent opportunity to see him express his affection for Baldwin's work myself, and it was crystal clear that Baldwin's words struck a chord with him.
In Jenkins' third feature, he sought to explore the purest form of love and how it perseveres through unbridled tragedy while also addressing racial injustice. Told non-sequentially with deft, wistful guidance from Jenkins, Tish reminisces over the past, sharing treasured memories and melancholy moments alike. Yellows and greens can often be glimpsed in the lighting, costuming, and set dressing to reflect Tish's blissful state throughout her untroubled experiences. As a result, If Beale Street Could Talk resembles a cinematic diary of sorts, offering an intimate window into Tish's life. The film is breathtakingly beautiful with idyllic imagery abound, and audience members will certainly swoon over Nicholas Britell's sumptuous score, James Laxton's splendid cinematography, and the other fine camerawork on display.
The camera movements in If Beale Street Could Talk are very steady and controlled yet free-spirited in a sense. There was one overhead shot at the start of the film in particular which astounded me as it swiveled and swooped above the young, content couple. But Jenkins never finds himself lost in the complacency of crafting an alluring image. Tragedy inevitably strikes, and when it does, the color palette shifts to darker tones and the cheery atmosphere sours as the audience is once again faced with the harsh, unfair nature of reality. While systemic injustice is a through-line in If Beale Street Could Talk, Jenkins isn't demanding riots and violent action against the system... He's presented a level-headed acknowledgment of the persisting racial injustice in hopes there may eventually be a level-headed solution. For the time being, audiences will be faced with a soul-crushing truth they may have turned a blind eye towards.
Meanwhile, Stephan James and newcomer KiKi Layne share an unshakable connection as Tish and Fonny. Every tender moment between the two is blissful, poetic, and brimming with passion. You truly believe that these two have known each other for their entire lives and the two leads each demonstrate remarkable range amidst the trials and tribulations of their relationship. As their situation worsens, their profound love for one another deepens.
The supporting cast consists of the couple's family played by Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Aunjanue Ellis, Ebony Obsidian, and Dominique Thorne. Of the bunch, Regina King stands out most and has justifiably garnered lots of love amongst regional critics groups that hopefully will carry over to an Oscar nomination. She shows herself to be resilient and compassionate, poignantly walking the fine line between the two. Otherwise, I'll say Brian Tyree Henry has had a stellar year as an actor between starring in If Beale Street Could Talk, Widows, and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. His screen time is fleeting, but the monologue he delivers is very powerful.
Following up a Best Picture winner is a lofty ordeal (especially when it will go down as one of the most infamous wins in the Academy's history), but Jenkins has done so gracefully and delivered a wonderful heart-aching adaptation. It's a timeless tale which reminds us never to lose hope in the face of adversity. While things may not turn out how we'd like, pure love will persevere. Above all, If Beale Street Could Talk is about an unconditional love that can't be broken.
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