Barry Jenkins dazzled audiences with his poetic, visually arresting drama MOONLIGHT back in 2016, which went on to win Best Picture in a shocking/hilarious Oscars finale. Now he’s back with an adaptation of James Baldwin’s IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, and much like his last film Jenkins is earning raves for his direction with a tale of love triumphing over all. The short but sweet final trailer is here, showcasing some of the movie’s excellent reviews and paired beautifully with Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly.” Everyone, this is a great trailer, and this movie looks wonderful and just – yeah – no more words.
Our own Chris Bumbray gave the movie an 8/10 in his review out of TIFF, saying the movie is, “a worthy follow-up that should further establish [Barry] Jenkins’s bonafides as a legitimately great, consistent director. It’s also a wonderful tribute to James Baldwin’s work (which is seeing a major resurgence as of late), and a movie that will provoke a lot of conversation about issues that, despite being written about in the seventies, are just as relevant today.”
The movie has already been nominated for several awards, including some at last night’s Gotham Awards for Best Feature, Breakthrough Actor (KiKi Layne) and the Audience Award. As well, it earned a few Independent Spirit Award noms, including for Best Feature, Best Director and Best Supporting Female (Regina King). The film is a big Oscar favorite, with the cast, screenplay, costumes, cinematography from James Laxton, the score by Nicholas Britell and more in the running for nominations.
Here's the synopsis:
Set in early-1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (screen newcomer KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK hits limited theaters December 14 and goes wide December 25.