If Beale Street Could Talk - it just might ask why two surly looking white men chose to get up and walk out of the Screen Unseen cinema, just a few minutes after realising they were watching a film focusing on the appalling, bigoted, racist, treatment of young black men in 70's America?!!! Maybe they needed a popcorn type film? Who knows?
Anyway, the film follows the story of one particular couple, Fonny and Tish, whose close childhood friendship eventually flourished into an incredibly strong and binding love that goes on to withstand all the twisted injustices thrown their way by a corrupt, racist American 'justice' system.
Some might say it's not just a look back at recent history, but a sad reflection of some events becoming more prevalent once again in today's society, or that's never really gone away in some places.
Kiki Layne, playing Tish (who is stunning by the way), and Stephen James, playing Fonny, lead the cast with superb, believable, engaging performances, as you watch their love grow and strengthen.
The entire cast did themselves proud, with Teyonah Parris bringing much needed relief to break some of the tension as Tish's self-assured, witty, and supportive sister, and I barely recognised Ed Skrein as the vile Officer Bell, who's character epitomised the commonly practiced prejudices of that time.
It's a good film to watch, but not an easy one, as it's not a light popcorn entertainment movie, but a deep contemplative insight into the disgusting institutional treatment against a minority group.
Except for a few moments of artistic lingering, which I thought were a little self-indulgent and unnecessary, the filmography and directing was captivating, making you feel like you were there too; almost voyeuristic at times, albeit tastefully done.
If you want to walk out of a film smiling and joyous, perhaps this is not the film for you. Having said that to watch a friendship blossom into such a beautiful, faithful, unbreakable love, despite the adversities, makes it more than worthwhile.
Anyway, the film follows the story of one particular couple, Fonny and Tish, whose close childhood friendship eventually flourished into an incredibly strong and binding love that goes on to withstand all the twisted injustices thrown their way by a corrupt, racist American 'justice' system.
Some might say it's not just a look back at recent history, but a sad reflection of some events becoming more prevalent once again in today's society, or that's never really gone away in some places.
Kiki Layne, playing Tish (who is stunning by the way), and Stephen James, playing Fonny, lead the cast with superb, believable, engaging performances, as you watch their love grow and strengthen.
The entire cast did themselves proud, with Teyonah Parris bringing much needed relief to break some of the tension as Tish's self-assured, witty, and supportive sister, and I barely recognised Ed Skrein as the vile Officer Bell, who's character epitomised the commonly practiced prejudices of that time.
It's a good film to watch, but not an easy one, as it's not a light popcorn entertainment movie, but a deep contemplative insight into the disgusting institutional treatment against a minority group.
Except for a few moments of artistic lingering, which I thought were a little self-indulgent and unnecessary, the filmography and directing was captivating, making you feel like you were there too; almost voyeuristic at times, albeit tastefully done.
If you want to walk out of a film smiling and joyous, perhaps this is not the film for you. Having said that to watch a friendship blossom into such a beautiful, faithful, unbreakable love, despite the adversities, makes it more than worthwhile.