By Robert Yaniz Jr.

DAY 29 OF THE 2018 HOLIDAY BINGE

Writer/director Barry Jenkins averts a post-Moonlight slump with this poignant adaptation.

THE HYPE

Let’s face it: Barry Jenkins was always going to have a tough time following the phenomenal Oscar-winning success of Moonlight. That film struck such a chord with critics and audiences alike, revealing a fresh, powerful coming-of-age story. Now Jenkins turns to the work of renowned writer James Baldwin with an adaptation of his 1974 novel, If Beale Street Could Talk. Armed with socially charged material and a standout cast, Jenkins looks to build on his recent notoriety.

THE STORY

Set in 1970s Harlem, the film follows the love story of Tish (newcomer KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James). Soon after Fonny is wrongfully imprisoned, Tish discovers that she is pregnant with his child, and the couple’s families launch a desperate effort to free Fonny from jail before he becomes a father. In telling this story, If Beale Street Could Talk wisely alternates between this predicament and flashbacks that fill in the gaps of the central romance and contextualize these recent events.

THE CAST

In her feature film debut, Layne is truly the anchor of the film. She narrates her and Fonny’s story and delves into the social atmosphere in which it is set. As two innocents who are directly confronted with the harsh realities of the world, her and James maintain both a sense of purity in their performances as well as startling awakening to the adversity that lies ahead. In addition, Regina King delivers her best big-screen work in years as Tish’s mother and earns all the acclaim she’s receiving.

THE PRODUCTION

In all aspects of If Beale Street Could Talk, Jenkins takes great care with Baldwin’s work. The film neatly convey the social commentary without bogging down the personal stakes for its characters. Moreover, returning Moonlight crew members like cinematographer James Laxton and composer Nicholas Brittel bring the same elegance and intimacy to Tish and Fonny’s story as they did to Chiron’s. Though the two boast very different themes, the distinctive voice of Jenkins and his crew remains very much intact.

THE VERDICT

If Beale Street Could Talk might not hit the same creative heights as its predecessor, but Jenkins does create a stirring romance fueled by both beauty and melancholy. Few films this year demonstrate such attention to detail, and despite the how If Beale Street Could Talk refuses to tackle darkness, it does with an air of hope that inspires perseverance more than it undercuts it. Although few doubted it, If Beale Street Could Talk solidifies Jenkins’ status as one of cinema’s most critical voices.

If Beale Street Could Talk stars KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry and Regina King and is directed by Barry Jenkins.