If Beale Street Could Talk
If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk

2018Movie120 minEnglish

After her fiance is falsely imprisoned, a pregnant African-American woman sets out to clear his name and prove his innocence.

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Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic87/100
Google Users94%
Director: Barry JenkinsGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1970s Harlem, a young woman rushes to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime he did not commit, while pregnant with their child. Her family, along with his, navigates the deeply flawed and racist justice system to secure his release. The film beautifully portrays their struggle against injustice and the enduring power of love and hope.

Critical Reception

If Beale Street Could Talk was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its direction, performances (especially Regina King), screenplay, score, and visual style. Critics praised its sensitive and emotional portrayal of love and racial injustice in America.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
  • Features powerful performances, especially from Regina King.
  • A poignant exploration of love against systemic injustice.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film's beautiful storytelling, heartfelt performances, and its moving depiction of love triumphing over adversity and racial injustice. Many found it to be a deeply affecting and important film.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Regina King). Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score. Won Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Globe Awards and BAFTA Awards.

Fun Fact

Director Barry Jenkins originally wanted to cast musicians, not actors, in the lead roles of Tish and Fonny, believing they would better embody the characters' artistic souls.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is a beautifully filmed experience; thereafter a sort of emotional torpor sets in and it struggles to make headway in self-made heavy seas. The story, upon which it is based, offers us yards of controversial and harrowing material to w...
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

**_Beautifully shot, but emotionally languid_** > **Studs Terkel**: _Did you feel a sense of shame about a heritage that is really so_ rich_, when you accepted the white man's stereotype of yourself?_ > >**James Baldwin**: _I'm afraid...