'If Beale Street Could Talk' Review

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. 

Film Assessment: A

'The Birth of a Nation' Review

The Birth of a Nation depicts the Nat Turner Rebellion that took place in Southampton County, Virginia, during August 1831. Essentially the plot involves an enslaved Baptist preacher Nat Turner who is asked to preach sermons glorifying slavery to his fellow slaves in hopes of stalling any uprisings. Turner, motivated by scripture contrary to slavery and upon seeing more and more horrific treatment of his kind, determines that the only solution is violence and a historic uprising alongside his fellowman.

I went into this film with no idea of what to expect, it was lauded at Sundance Film Festival and after some rape scandals surfaced involving director, screenwriter, producer, and star Nate Parker and co-writer Jean Celestin the film received a mixed reception with last weekend's wide theatrical release. I also felt that the historical insurrection was always a little obscure to me in regards to what happened beyond it being a slave revolt and was hoping this film would clear that up and I do feel that I learned a great deal from the film, journeying to the internet afterwards to fact-check for historical accuracy in some areas I felt may have been dramatized.

I'm not sure the world will ever know exactly how much of The Birth of a Nation was historically accurate, considering that history is often written by the winners of conflict but from what I could tell it seemed fairly accurate in regards to the characterization and depiction of events. I feel it's important to view film objectively ignoring the ongoing controversies regarding artists, separating the art from the artists, and that is definitely required for anyone that wants to get anything out of The Birth of a Nation.

Nate Parker makes his feature length directorial debut and in addition both wrote the screenplay and stars in the historical biographic drama. Parker's direction is strong, focused, and excellently wields the atrocities of slavery to both shock and remind the viewer how dreadful slavery was. My only grievance is that the pacing set forth by Parker was a tad uneven at times. Parker and cinematographer Elliot Davis capture some incredible visuals and expertly weave some meaningful imagery into The Birth of a Nation's powerful messages.

While the messages in The Birth of a Nation regarding slavery, treatment of others, and biblical interpretation are filled with passion, the screenplay penned by Parker and Celestin isn't consistent as I'd have liked it to be. The first act moves along slowly, and in the second act there are some shifts in character motivation that didn't feel expanded upon, but intermittently the duo manage to write some really compelling back and forth dialogue for the more emotionally impactful scenes. The film also features a great deal of spiritual music that amplifies the proceedings and great score from Henry Jackman.

The performances in The Birth of a Nation are without a doubt one of the films highlights. Nate Parker demonstrates a more nuanced performance and manages to depict his fair share of emotional range in the film's brutal moments. The supporting cast boasts a great number of terrific performers consisting of Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aja Naomi King.

Was The Birth of a Nation the masterpiece it was made out to be by Sundance? No, but it's certainly an impressive showcase of good filmmaking that historians and cinema enthusiasts should enjoy.

Film Assessment: B