If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

When focusing on the disadvantages facing African Americans regarding issues they confront during periods of time, it might feel repetitive with seeing  at least 1 film pop up every year that it begs the question why bother checking out. Many of them can cross off many checklist cliches to help hammer their messages in that the level of effort put into making them remedy such problems. This brings us to the newest effort from writer and director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, Medicine for Melancholy) whose attempts to reach high for the awards season couldn't be more obvious with his latest drama, If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the James Baldwin novel of the same name. There hasn't been much marketing for it but from the name recognition and respect he has gained from his success with Moonlight seemed to be his intent on bringing the audiences and critics. Upon its release, while it received positive critical reviews, it didn't seem to be grabbing many awards nominations nor much social media buzz. I entered the auditorium hoping to seeing if the movies quality is strong enough to join my best movies of 2018 list and left it enjoying most of the effort put into it.

Plot: The story follows a young black couple expecting a child who strive to prove the father's innocence in a sexual assault crime he's falsely accused of. The stylistic nature of this premise changes back and forth between showing the relationship of the couple in the past and the present situation of the efforts of the girl and her family to deal with the complications and hardships of their case. The core of its message is clear and is treated with respect to reflect the current state of affairs in our modern age. There are some great scenes that are performed and executed so well, which definitely deserve attention.

What is holding this back is how the sum of its parts don't necessarily make for a smooth viewing experience. With how much of its theme and message it hammering hard into its audiences, there's a point where moments overstay their welcome hard. By that point, a long conversation that feels like 15 minutes is holding you hostage to where it feels pretentious. The pacing between their case and trying to hold on for the birth of the child is bizarre in how so much screen time is given to the latter that the former is very forgettable and ends up becoming incredibly rushed in the third act.

Characters: The people to focus on are Clementine "Tish" Rivers (Kiki Layne) and Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt (Stephen James). Tish is an expecting mother whose life is rattled when Fonny is falsely arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Kiki gives a decent performance but since this is the actresses film debut, her acting falls short compared to the surrounding talent that overshadows her hard (plus it doesn't help that the script gets repetitive for her). Fonny is Tish's charismatic lover and father of her child who ends up being falsely imprisoned. Stephen is captivating in this portrayal where his range of emotions are impressive to watch (especially how he's balancing between the past and present versions of his character). 

Honorable mentions go to Sharon Rivers (Regina King), Ernestine Rivers (Colman Domingo), and Frank Hurt (Michael Beach) for their enticing screen presence that elevates the quality whenever they show up. In fact, the best performance to look out for is Regina's as the drive she conveys is so powerful its locking her in for best supporting actress in the awards circuits. A mixed honorable mention goes to Victoria Rogers (Emily Rios) for being incredibly underwritten for her role and not serving it to the best of her capabilities (given how hasty the third act gets). 

Overall Consensus: If Beale Street Could Talk boasts mostly good acting, a thoughtful message, and beautiful visuals that it stumbles in terms of pacing, conclusive storytelling, repetitive aspects, and a less interesting lead actress. ⭑⭑⭑1/2🎟 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes R

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors. You don't mind awards baiting movies that focus on problems African-Americans during harsh time periods. You are a fan of Barry Jenkins. You like watching love interests stare at each other multiple times.

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors. You are bored with awards baiting movies that focus on problems African-Americans during harsh time periods. You aren't a fan of Barry Jenkins. You can get annoyed with watching love interests stare at each other multiple times.