Here we have "If Beale Street Could Talk", an American 2-hour movie from 2018. This one is based on a book and the one who adapted the original story as well as directed the film here is Barry Jenkins and at times, with the length of certain scenes, it felt as if he was channeling his inner (sadly non-existent) Malick. Jenkins is of course most known for Best Picture winner Moonlight from not too long ago and what we have here is his follow-up project. Just like with Moonlight, he did not cast any really big names, especially for the central characters that could perhaps take attention away from the story because of who they are. An okay decision I guess, even if this film could have been fun with some of the most known and most successful African American actors too. But maybe they would have been difficult to find within the age group Jenkins was going for as the protagonists here are in their early 20s or even below 20, even if the actors are a bit older than their characters. The most known cast member is Diego Luna perhaps, but he really only has minimal screen time. Overall, this film was one of the big players this awards season, even if it came nowhere near Jenkins repeating his success from Moonlight. But I will speak about that later on a bit. Let's talk a bit about the story first though. This is the tale of two childhood best friends, who grow closer when growing up and eventually become a couple. The female gets pregnant, but the male ends up in jail because he is accused of having violated a Puerto Rican immigrant. In the now, their interactions take place at the prison with a glass wall between them and phones in their hands. But a lot of the film are also flashbacks from their happier days, how they have fun, make love and so on, but also some more serious moments during which we see how he is a bit of a hothead clashing with another suitor as well as a cop. And also in jail, there is a scene which is easier to understand though as he is really struggling with his stay there emotionally and physically.
Sadly, there is really a lot of racist prejudice in this movie. A film full of stereotypes which makes it difficult to appreciate the more artistic moments. The best example for that is when we see a Jewish friend and honestly you have most likely never seen a man in film that looks more Jewish than he does. Aside from him, most White people are depicted as stereotypically racist and shades hardly never exist. This refers to the two men (the suitor and cop) I already mentioned, but also to the lawyer's elite (if you want to call them that) that are shown being not too fond of the young rising lawyer's endeavor of defending the Black man. (The lawyer himself is maybe the only exception.) This scene when we see the lawyer struggling was one that did not feel good at all artistically as we hear the sub-par voice-over from the female protagonist. The voice-over narrative parts on several occasions are not the biggest strength. One of many weaknesses. The quote by Louis Armstrong's son early on does feel a bit pretentious too and I did not feel it was enough to explain the clumsy title. I can see why they just used "Beale Street" here in Germany. Another problem for me were the randomly thrown-in photos of Whites (usually cops) disrespecting Blacks and while you could see the connection to the overall story, the moments when they were used and also the specific photos felt very random and only intent of stirring things up than making a powerful statement. Going further into detail, I also did not really like how the subjects of birth control and doubt (in terms of could he have been the perpetrator?) were (not) elaborated on. I also felt the two leads did not have the greatest chemistry. On a more positive note, the escalation scene early on with the man's mother and sisters was among the film's highlights. But it also showed one moment I did not like as always, namely that it is fine to use the N word when Blacks talk to each other without seeming racist, but Whites aren't allowed to.
But the biggest mystery of them all is how Regina King not only won the Oscar for her portrayal here, but literally won every significant film award. She wasn't bad or anything, probably gave one of the better performances of the film, but seriously? I think the Academy once again mistook a likable character for a great performance. The two Favourite girls were so much better, not that this was a great challenge to be better. And probably at least a 100 other supporting performances were. But I guess supporting actor/actress is close to being reserved for African American actors these days, but even there you could have found a few more deserving performances this year I am sure. At least Mahershala Ali was pretty good, even if he was clearly lead, but King was never the powerful force you'd think she was given her awards recognition. The scene in front of the mirror when she decides to not pose as a Latina, but be herself instead was a nice inclusion and well-written and apart from that scene, the only scene she shines in is right afterwards when we see her travel to Puerto Rico and talk to the abused woman's man and to the woman herself. Not badly acted, but King is not really better than her counterpart in both scenes, first the man, then the woman she is looking for. A complete mystery. For me a contender for weakest Supporting Actress Oscar winner from all the winners I have seen over the years. Okay, finally back to the film itself. It has some solid scenes like the mirror scene I just mentioned and technically it is a fine film, even if the Oscar nomination for the score seems a bit exaggerated, but at least not a Best Picture nomination like the one it got at the Globes. Sadly, instead of truly evoking emotion and making a powerful statement on equality, the film loses itself way too many times in obvious anti-White racism, shallow characters (the lawyer e.g.) and lack of emotion in scenes that actually could have been really moving. The weaknesses here are more dominant than the strengths. Very overrated film. Don't watch.
Sadly, there is really a lot of racist prejudice in this movie. A film full of stereotypes which makes it difficult to appreciate the more artistic moments. The best example for that is when we see a Jewish friend and honestly you have most likely never seen a man in film that looks more Jewish than he does. Aside from him, most White people are depicted as stereotypically racist and shades hardly never exist. This refers to the two men (the suitor and cop) I already mentioned, but also to the lawyer's elite (if you want to call them that) that are shown being not too fond of the young rising lawyer's endeavor of defending the Black man. (The lawyer himself is maybe the only exception.) This scene when we see the lawyer struggling was one that did not feel good at all artistically as we hear the sub-par voice-over from the female protagonist. The voice-over narrative parts on several occasions are not the biggest strength. One of many weaknesses. The quote by Louis Armstrong's son early on does feel a bit pretentious too and I did not feel it was enough to explain the clumsy title. I can see why they just used "Beale Street" here in Germany. Another problem for me were the randomly thrown-in photos of Whites (usually cops) disrespecting Blacks and while you could see the connection to the overall story, the moments when they were used and also the specific photos felt very random and only intent of stirring things up than making a powerful statement. Going further into detail, I also did not really like how the subjects of birth control and doubt (in terms of could he have been the perpetrator?) were (not) elaborated on. I also felt the two leads did not have the greatest chemistry. On a more positive note, the escalation scene early on with the man's mother and sisters was among the film's highlights. But it also showed one moment I did not like as always, namely that it is fine to use the N word when Blacks talk to each other without seeming racist, but Whites aren't allowed to.
But the biggest mystery of them all is how Regina King not only won the Oscar for her portrayal here, but literally won every significant film award. She wasn't bad or anything, probably gave one of the better performances of the film, but seriously? I think the Academy once again mistook a likable character for a great performance. The two Favourite girls were so much better, not that this was a great challenge to be better. And probably at least a 100 other supporting performances were. But I guess supporting actor/actress is close to being reserved for African American actors these days, but even there you could have found a few more deserving performances this year I am sure. At least Mahershala Ali was pretty good, even if he was clearly lead, but King was never the powerful force you'd think she was given her awards recognition. The scene in front of the mirror when she decides to not pose as a Latina, but be herself instead was a nice inclusion and well-written and apart from that scene, the only scene she shines in is right afterwards when we see her travel to Puerto Rico and talk to the abused woman's man and to the woman herself. Not badly acted, but King is not really better than her counterpart in both scenes, first the man, then the woman she is looking for. A complete mystery. For me a contender for weakest Supporting Actress Oscar winner from all the winners I have seen over the years. Okay, finally back to the film itself. It has some solid scenes like the mirror scene I just mentioned and technically it is a fine film, even if the Oscar nomination for the score seems a bit exaggerated, but at least not a Best Picture nomination like the one it got at the Globes. Sadly, instead of truly evoking emotion and making a powerful statement on equality, the film loses itself way too many times in obvious anti-White racism, shallow characters (the lawyer e.g.) and lack of emotion in scenes that actually could have been really moving. The weaknesses here are more dominant than the strengths. Very overrated film. Don't watch.