If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Based on the James Baldwin novel, If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) depicts the beautiful love story of Tish and Fonny in early ‘70s Harlem.
Based on the James Baldwin novel, If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) depicts the beautiful love story of Tish Rivers (played by KiKi Layne) and Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt (played by Stephan James) in early ‘70s Harlem. Like in Moonlight (2016), this film was a partnership between director Barry Jenkins and cinematographer James Laxton. They created a vibrant visual experience, ensuring the lighting properly captured and accentuated the cast’s darker skin tones. Bringing Baldwin’s words to life, they shared the intimate lives and dynamic relationships between men and women, husbands and wives, fathers, sisters, and neighbors. The film highlighted several issues this Black couple had to deal with just to exist in the world, namely an unjust criminal justice system and housing discrimination. (If you want to learn how to support the unjustly imprisoned, The Innocence Project is doing great work in this area.) Watch for sharp costume design and bonus appearances by Dave Franco and Diego Luna. Watch If Beale Street Could Talk on Hulu.