Although Barry Jenkins' previous film 'Moonlight' caused upset when it won the Best Picture Oscar and gets a good deal of hate still, to me it was very well made, very well acted and very powerful while suffering from a rushed final act and an anti-climactic ending. So hearing that Jenkins had made another film on a heavy, still relevant and brave subject matter and with a good cast, that will touch a raw nerve with many, immediately got me interested, the critical acclaim also adding further to the interest.
'If Beale Street Could Talk' is not one of those films that will compel, or emotionally connect with, everybody and it is not hard to see why. It is also not hard to see why people will find a lot of value here. While there is a lot to admire, part of me was disappointed watching 'If Beale Street Could Talk' and that full potential was not realised. What worked so well in the source material does not come off completely successfully here. If asked which is the better film between 'Moonlight' and this, because 'Moonlight' was clearer narratively and was more involving that would be my choice.
There are a lot of things done very well here in 'If Beale Street Could Talk'. It is a real beauty visually, some truly arresting and quite gorgeous cinematography throughout. Cinematography that adds hugely and even enhances the atmosphere, while not swamping the drama. Nicholas Britell's music score underscores every emotion with haunting resonance and in my mind it was not that intrusive. Jenkins' direction is faultless visually and the best scenes dramatically pack a punch.
Despite being a long way from perfect on a narrative level, there are a number of powerful and touching moments and the family showdown particularly is a masterpiece of layered emotions and character interaction. The script can be thoughtful and poetic, the relationship between Fonny and Tish is full of raw passion and heart and the tensions have genuine intensity. While KiKi Layne and Stephan James give movingly sincere performances, Regina King's powerful supporting turn makes the most impression.
On the other hand, can totally see where people are coming from when they criticise the pace. There are scenes that go on far longer than they needed to which really made the momentum sag, while some of the final act is rushed and the ending anti-climactic (like 'Moonlight'). 'If Beale Street Could Talk' does suffer too from too much tell and not enough show, the film didn't need voice over used as much as it was and in a way that tended to ramble and over-explain.
Ed Skrein for my liking also badly overplays a very caricaturish stereotype that is also greatly exaggerated in the writing.
Concluding, a lot of impressive things but didn't completely connect with me. Was torn between giving it a 6 or a 7, decided to go with a small 7/10 due to feeling in a generous mood
'If Beale Street Could Talk' is not one of those films that will compel, or emotionally connect with, everybody and it is not hard to see why. It is also not hard to see why people will find a lot of value here. While there is a lot to admire, part of me was disappointed watching 'If Beale Street Could Talk' and that full potential was not realised. What worked so well in the source material does not come off completely successfully here. If asked which is the better film between 'Moonlight' and this, because 'Moonlight' was clearer narratively and was more involving that would be my choice.
There are a lot of things done very well here in 'If Beale Street Could Talk'. It is a real beauty visually, some truly arresting and quite gorgeous cinematography throughout. Cinematography that adds hugely and even enhances the atmosphere, while not swamping the drama. Nicholas Britell's music score underscores every emotion with haunting resonance and in my mind it was not that intrusive. Jenkins' direction is faultless visually and the best scenes dramatically pack a punch.
Despite being a long way from perfect on a narrative level, there are a number of powerful and touching moments and the family showdown particularly is a masterpiece of layered emotions and character interaction. The script can be thoughtful and poetic, the relationship between Fonny and Tish is full of raw passion and heart and the tensions have genuine intensity. While KiKi Layne and Stephan James give movingly sincere performances, Regina King's powerful supporting turn makes the most impression.
On the other hand, can totally see where people are coming from when they criticise the pace. There are scenes that go on far longer than they needed to which really made the momentum sag, while some of the final act is rushed and the ending anti-climactic (like 'Moonlight'). 'If Beale Street Could Talk' does suffer too from too much tell and not enough show, the film didn't need voice over used as much as it was and in a way that tended to ramble and over-explain.
Ed Skrein for my liking also badly overplays a very caricaturish stereotype that is also greatly exaggerated in the writing.
Concluding, a lot of impressive things but didn't completely connect with me. Was torn between giving it a 6 or a 7, decided to go with a small 7/10 due to feeling in a generous mood