If Beale Street Could Talk

(spoiler free)

After directing Best Picture winner ‘Moonlight’ only a couple of years ago Barry Jenkins is back with new romantic drama ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’. He’s adapted it for the screen from James Baldwin’s 1974 novel of the same name. Following a young couple from Harlem, Tish & Fonny, the film tells the story of how they’re beginning to plan their life together, that is until Fonny is accused of a serious crime forcing Tish and her family to fight to keep him out of prison.

Aptly receiving its U.K. cinema release around Valentine’s Day this is one of the most romantic films in recent memory. There’s a wonderful softness to the story of how Tish & Fonny fall in love and start to plan their future lives together. They have such an endearing chemistry that makes every scene they share so emotionally compelling. Even without the inclusion of the more obvious storylines that move the plot forward this couple’s romance is powerful enough to sustain your full attention. Kiki Layne and Stephan James are superb in their leading roles and elevate their characters’ relationship far beyond expectations creating a cinematic romance for the ages.

Despite the film conveying this special calm and tenderness ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ still has a lot to say and it does so in a very assured manner. However, Jenkins doesn’t focus on the more specific details of the story, which many other film-makers would have done. Instead he puts characters, relationships and culture under his spotlight telling a much more moving story in the process. The reluctance to show seemingly pivotal plot points on screen may disappoint some viewers but when there’s a romance as blissful as Tish and Fonny’s on display this is without a doubt the correct decision and one that creates a much more memorable moment of cinema. 

One element essential in accentuating this powerful storytelling is the beautiful score composed by Nicholas Britell, who previously provided the music for ‘Moonlight’. It’s so effective at sweeping you up into the central romance and making you care so deeply for these characters. When it’s combined with the gorgeous cinematography courtesy of another of Jenkins’s previous ‘Moonlight’ collaborators, James Laxton it creates this really special atmosphere which you just can’t help but instantly fall in love with. These trio of artists clearly possess a unique synergy which is a delight to witness, benefiting the picture to no end.

After following the huge successes of ‘Moonlight’ with a film to as a high a standard as Barry Jenkins has achieved here it’s somewhat baffling that ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ isn’t in contention for Best Picture. Nonetheless, Jenkins has proved his talent and care for story-telling here helping to raise the voices of those who deserve to be heard most. This is a beautiful film in appearance and in soul and one that will touch the hearts of many.

Written by Hamish Calvert

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Rating – 9/10

Question: Do you think If Beale Street Could Talk should be a Best Picture nominee?
(Leave your answers in the comments section below!)

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Thanks to Queens Film Theatre for screening access