81. If Beale Street Could Talk; movie review

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Cert 15
119 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent very strong language, strong sex

I am a bit battle weary with the amount of bashing my favourite film of the year, Green Book, has received over the past couple of weeks.
Apparently, questions over its truthfulness have come out of the woodwork alongside a lobby which criticises how it handles race issues in the United States.
Some of those who have condemned it, have claimed greater authenticity can be found in If Beale Street Could Talk.
I wonder if they mean that, in their eyes, it is more realistic because it implies all rather than just some white people are racist?
To be honest, whites are rarely seen during Barry Jenkins' film but seem to be lurking insidiously in the background.
Instead, it is the system which is seen to be blamed for the injustice which befalls lovers, Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonie (Stephan James).
The two young New Yorkers have been sweethearts since childhood but, as their relationship blossoms, he is accused of a heinous crime he didn't commit.
If Beale Street Could Talk is actually more of. love story than an expose of racism and I was quite taken with the gentle or even fumbling way in which Tish and Fonie explore a new-found intimacy.
There is also a wonderful scene in which their respective parents meet.
Layne and James are very good in the lead roles. Their commitment to each other in the face of significant adversity is conveyed with great conviction.
But I am afraid Jenkins allows the camera to linger too long. There is no doubt that Layne has beautifully expressive eyes but the director seems obsessed with them.
And then there is the slow grinding music which combines a sense of foreboding with nearly inducing sleep.
All in all, I could see merit in If Beale Street Could Talk and I can see why a modern Oscar judge would see it worthy of a shortlist.
But I didn't come away from Nottingham Cineworld feeling as entertained as we were by Green Book.
Mrs W echoed my thoughts.

Reasons to watch: The love story element is really well done
Reasons to avoid: The camera lingers far too long

Laughs: Two
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: Yes 
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? If Beale Street Could Talk is a film adaptation of a 1974 novel penned by author and civil rights activist, James Baldwin. 

The final word. Barry Jenkins: " At literally the same time that I wrote Moonlight, I wrote this. Back in 2011, 2012, I was in this thing I called “filmmaker therapy.”

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