if Beale Street Could Talk
In this honest and spectacular novel, James Baldwin seems to have given America a story of love in the face of discrimination. The story is about the young black couple whose romantic dreams come crashing up against the exceptional realism of white society. Jenkin uses a poetic style in revealing harsh social realities. The movie is lush and aspiring, its theme of racial prejudice as applicable now as it used to be when the novel of Baldwin first appeared. The film is similarly too appealing for its good sometimes, and more fascinating in parts than as a whole. However, at its best, it depicts Jenkins as among the best-talented film-makers working nowadays. The simplicity of the plot gives the author a room to breathe and do what he always does best, hence squeezing entirely possible emotion out of a scene like some existential lemon.
The movie is captured like some fictional street movies; everything seems to be having a hopeful, orange tint to all over. The film introduces its significant characters in a musical setting, as an overhead shot views the characters walking in a park on a beautiful autumn day. Tish is nineteen years old, and Fonny is 22 years old. Both are young innocents who seem to be gazing into each other’s eyes and articulate that they are prepared in facing the world together. From the swoony, calm flashback there is a scene of Tish watching Fonny through the glass in prison, telling him about her pregnancy.
In this case, Tish seems to be the narrator, with her brief narrative that keeps recurring. Flashbacks reveal the past days of their romance, and the story keeps moving where Tish tries to look for a lawyer so that her boyfriend can get out of prison. James Laxton, the cinematographer who made the calm, deep blue palette for Moonlight, seems to be presenting a warmer appearance in the movie, filling the film with bright colours against a darker setting. Even though Fonny and Tish seem to have lost their innocence, their relationship remains strong just like the vibrant colours. Fonny is in prison because he was accused of raping a white woman even though he was not around when the attack occurred. Generally, the allegation has to resonate over a century of such illegal charges against black people, mainly in the Southern of United States.
The author includes pictures of black people in the beginning and at the end of the movie. The images include the black people being detained, beaten as well as the white officers forcing them to their knees. The author seems to be letting the moments land without overstating their social drive. The present resonance and suggestion to the movement of the Black Lives Matter are so deceptive, and he does not have to make them
explicit.
The director has similarly made a message movie. However, the one concerning love and family seem to express a message as well. Tish’s family, which comprises of her father mother and the sister, are reliable in their support. King, Tish’s mother, is mainly emotional, with her face apprehending quiet strength and empathy. When Tish reveals about her pregnancy to the family, Sharon gathers the entire family for a toast, articulating that they should have some celebrations.
There have to be something unique about this movie. The film seems to be precisely depicted in some of life’s most cherished and cheerful moments. The movie makes the viewers feel as if they are in the same room with these characters experiencing such great moments together. Kiki Layne, along with Stephan James, appears to be playing ideally better. They suitably capture the misperception, excitement and harsh headed conviction of young, passionate love.
On the other hand, King seems to be the real star of the movie. King is a worn-down but eventually strong character, by bringing a particularly warm, and affectionate to all the scenes she is involved. Most people have been talking about the performance of the King. King is the best actress in the film among all the actors and actresses.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” have various weaknesses too. Whereas the simple plot seems to be the most significant assets, it similarly turns out to be a hindrance. The points in the film are dragging as the author spends a lot of time to flesh out themes or even the characters, hence making it feel like there will never be an end in sight and Fonny will never get out of jail. Fonny’s mother, Ellis, keeps saying that she knew Tish would eventually be the destruction of her son. His father by the name Michael has been neighbours with Tish for a long time hence showing compassion to one another. Brian Tyree seems to be adding to his list of massive supporting roles with just a couple of scenes, as Fonny’s friend gets out of prison.
Regardless of the close-ups, along with sympathetic characters, a reserved, intellectual beauty inspires the movie. The cinematography and production scheme are so attractive hence becoming disrupting. The scene that introduces Fonny and Tish, the mustard yellow shirt that Fonny is wearing appears to be echoed in the coat of Tish and the surrounding environment, capturing in the overhead shot. There is also the romantic look between Fonny and Tish that feels a bit excessively intended, like the strings that occasionally soar on the background music are a few levels over the top. There are emotional moments when Fonny keeps on yelling to Tish that he will eventually die in prison. Yet, generally, there is a virtually harsh tone, different from the emotional pull of in the novel of Baldwin.
To sum up, the depiction of love appears to be epic and personal in the movie. The script is not at all times the strongest; however, in the end, the film is not about the story it is trying to convey. The movie is all about how the viewers are feeling, and the sort of feelings offered are overwhelming. The movie is both appropriate, speaking honestly on racial and social concerns that carry on today, and enduring as the crucial message is one of the oldest in the world: love overcomes all. Whatsoever its limitations, If Beale Street Could Talk, its only Jenkins’ third movie, is a substantial addition to a different body of work. The songs are also included in the movie hence attracting the viewers. The authoritative voice and graceful style of Jenkins can never be compared with any other director since he is the best among them.