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Rating: 5 out of 5
I don’t know where to start with reviewing this film because it is that good. First, Barry Jenkins is back directing this film after winning the Best Picture award with Moonlight. If anyone has ever seen Moonlight, I thought that was honestly one of the best films I saw. It is that well done. This time Jenkins decided to take one of James Baldwin’s works and turn it into a film. If anyone knows about James Baldwin, he is an absolute legend with his views on race in American and his writings. The man was way ahead of his time. What is brought to the screen is a beautiful story and film that James Baldwin would be proud of.
Based on James Baldwin’s 1974 novel of the same name, the story is set in the early 1970s Harlem with nineteen-year-old Tish (Layne) and her twenty-two-year-old self-made sculptor beau, Fonny (James). They have known each other since they were little kids and believe they have all the time in the world with the pregnancy of Tish. Soon their lives are turned upside down when Fonny is wrongfully accused of rape and thrown into jail without a trial. To make matters worse, the woman who claims Fonny raped her has flown back to her home country. Tish and her family wage a quest trying to get Fonny out of jail, but as they see, things will not be easy for the young couple and their family as they see the injustice of the world and abuse of power against them.
If Beale Street Could Talk is one of the best films that explains some of the oppressions that the Black/African American community goes through today. Not only is it beautifully done, I believe James Baldwin would stand and applaud at the way his work was presented. It is good from the cinematography to the acting to the overall tone and feel of the story that still plays today.
Jenkins does a marvelous job incorporating pictures of the black community in the struggle as a backdrop to the girl’s speech about Fonny’s life and what he wants to do, among other things in the world. This was so strong because I believe this is the way James Baldwin would like to show it.
Another theme that I think is important is family and what it means to be a family. When Tish tells her mom about her being pregnant, you don’t see her flip out but support her daughter. When the family is having dinner, they pull out the excellent liquor. While the Dad wonders what is going on. Tish moves away from the table to the sofa because she thinks it is about to go down, but they drink and seem to lose their minds in disbelief. I am happy to see black family support as Tish was about to feel bad, but her sister says, “Un-bow your head.” Get that pride on.
On the flip side, the film shows the actual distinction that many blacks go through. On one side, you have blacks that think they are high and mighty and don’t want to seem country or all that other mess. This is distinctly and perfectly shown when Fonny’s family comes over. You can tell that Fonny’s mom and sisters don’t think highly of Tish and her family. They seem high maintenance and highly proper. Well, the mom and sisters are. Fonny’s Dad seems really cool and down to earth. When the news is told, Fonny’s Dad is excited and wants to help, but his daughters and wife are incredibly disappointed. The mother is highly religious and damns the child and Tish. What a bitch! This scene is perfect because Tish’s family sticks up for her and her sister. She was about to put her paws on Fonny’s sisters and is so thuggish.
The significant parts of the film are when Fonny gets accused and arrested for raping a Spanish woman. We learn that he couldn’t have done the crime because he was on the other side of the city. The whole process that everyone goes through is just amazing, done and told so well. The first one with a cop that is racist and how he didn’t like the way Fonny spoke to him. He clearly stated he was going to get Fonny back. The Spanish woman stated that the police told her to pick Fonny out of a lineup. This speaks today because police have always treated blacks wrong and charged them for crimes.
Another scene that spoke volumes is dealing with white allies. First, the lawyer talks about how he didn’t notice the wrongs of the world at first until he started asking for help. Then he saw how much people didn’t care about his case. Another scene was with the Jewish landlord. I thought this scene was just unique because he didn’t see color. All he saw was love and just wanted to help out people. The world needs more kind people.
I could go on and on about the many scenes in the film, but it is time to move on. The cinematography is excellent in this film. I love how the movie jumps from present to past, but it doesn’t make it confusing at all. It flows smoothly and doesn’t skip a beat. Now two scenes do a great job with camera work. The first one is the scene where Fonny is in his cell. The scene switches back and forth between him in his home with a piece of wood that he is working on, and it is purely in black and white. The second one is when Fonny and Tish are on the phone in prison. There is a bright orange background behind Fonny as he tells Tish he will get home, but he is starting to lose his faith. As he starts saying that he will be in prison for a long time, the background slowly starts fading behind him as a symbol of losing hope.
As for the acting, EVERYONE did a phenomenal job. There was not one person out of place that didn’t do a fantastic job. KiKi Layne as Clementine “Tish” Rivers was great. She portrayed her character with such love, grace, and feeling. You saw that she was in love with Fonny and would do anything for him. Stephan James as Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt was also excellent. He was just a down-to-earth person that wanted to provide for his family. The homeboy also spoke fluent Spanish. Much respect. The one who must be talked about is Regina King as Sharon Rivers, Tish’s mother. Regina King is a QUEEN, and I was so happy she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The scene that she went H.A.M on was when she went to Puerto Rico and pleaded with the woman. Pedro Pascal is also in the film. Mr. Mandalorian himself.
Lastly and I’ll make this quick. The soundtrack hits on all levels. You can never go wrong when you play some Nina Simone. For some reason, when one of her songs comes up in a film, it seems perfect and adds to what the characters are feeling at the time.
Barry Jenkins did it again with If Beale Street Could Talk. The film is another example of how well the director tells a story with strong black characters and a story that resonates today. James Baldwin would be proud of his work being on the big screen. All the actors and actresses did a fantastic job, especially the amazing Regina King. Once again, if you loved watching Moonlight, then you will love watching this film.
