Jenkins visually creates an equilibrium of humanity and inhumanity by telling a beautiful young love story that is tangled in the brutal, poignant, political racism and police misconduct in the 1970's.
Adapted from James Baldwin's novel; the story - which is presented from the perspective of Tish (Kiki Layne) - follows a young couple (Tish and Fonny) at the start of their lives together. That is until Fonny (Stephan James) is set up by a police officer for a crime he did not commit.
The film follows its characters in the past and the present, creating both the main plot and the sub-plot, respectively. The flashbacks beautifully encapsulate and portray the couple's relationship prior to the arrest, while inherently proving Fonny's innocence to the audience by expressing his lovable, kind and caring disposition. The flashbacks also hint at and foreshadow his unjust arrest which makes it heartbreaking to watch as we know what is imminent, and yet, we are helpless. In the present, the characters desperately try to fight for vindication and justice for Fonny, all while attempting to live their lives and stay strong together.
The film is visually and emotionally beautiful. Jenkins captures the heart of the young couple's hopeful relationship through fresh, bright primary colours. They are initially introduced wearing coordinating blue and yellow outfits (goals) and then, while Fonny is in prison, greens are prominent in Tish's world, serving a strong purpose to suggest their togetherness and inability to be separated even when physically apart.
There is a particular scene that stands out to me due to its strong exploration into character relationships - I'm tempted to call it the 'Cream Soda Scene' - the scene in which Tish (Kiki Layne) shares the news to Fonny's family that she is carrying his child - to his mothers extreme dismay. This scene is so powerful, tense, shocking, humorous, heartbreaking and dramatic. As I was watching, the audience and I were so engaged and involved with the scene that there was literally a scream when Tish's sister, Ernestine (Teyonah Parris) brutally insults Fonny's sister, Adrienne, (Ebony Obsidian) with extremely strong language and passion - ugh, it is so great. Acting and writing completely intertwine and push the scene into a new dimension, making it so powerful and unforgettable. I can only wish to create a scene that impressive. Utterly Oscar-worthy.
Jenkins made a point in his Q&A after the screening, that he felt it essential to remain true to the perspective of a 19-year-old girl while also depicting the use of the 'female gaze'. He credited his editor, Joi McMillon for encouraging him to use shots that incorporated the female gaze effectively. For example, she convinced him in the edit room to include a close-up shot of the topless Fonny in order to portray how this young woman would see her lover whom she utterly adores and desires. Furthermore, it is so refreshing to experience a film that delves into the 'female gaze' when the 'male gaze' has become ubiquitous in cinema for decades.
Jenkins also expressed his intentions to convincingly tell this story through a 19-year-old girl's eyes. And fittingly, as a 19-year-old girl myself, I believe he has achieved this as I felt completely connected to Tish and her life even though we are literally worlds apart. The use of 'down the barrel' shots (when characters are looking straight into the camera) also enhanced this feeling for me as I could vividly see Tish's point of view, allowing me to feel, think and reminisce in nostalgia as she does. Her character is extremely well written. She is presented as timid and strong, childish and independent, a girl and a woman. I feel she is the perfect encapsulation of what being nineteen is: no longer a girl but also not yet quite a woman. It is a freeing age that Jenkins has captured extremely beautifully.
'If Beale Street Could Talk' powerfully explores the political and social injustices towards black people in the 1970s (and also importantly parallels to our modern day). Yet its focus predominantly lies on a truly potent and intimate love story between two people and the heartbreaking, impenetrable pane of glass that separates them.
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