If Beale Street Could Talk
First screened in September 2018 / Most recently screened in April 2025
Director: Barry Jenkins. Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Michael Beach, Aunjanue Ellis, Teyonah Parris, Ebony Obsidian, Dominique Thorne, Brian Tyree Henry, Finn Wittrock, Ed Skrein, Dave Franco, Emily Rios, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Bobby Conte Thornton. Screenplay: Barry Jenkins (based on the novel by James Baldwin).

 Twitter Capsule: Jenkins' incisive and eclectic style amplifies what's best in Baldwin while complicating his own voice.

Second Capsule: From sound design to camera movement to the phenomenal editing, retaining focus as subplots and sidebars proliferate, this is virtuoso work.

Third Capsule: So strong and moving about solitude, solidarity, and strandedness. As eloquent about now as about then.

VOR: ⑤  Tricky adaptation, because of what is forthright and what is fragmented in Baldwin. This film rises to every occasion. A black love story like no other.


Photo © 2018 Annapurna Pictures/Pastel/Plan B Entertainment

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
★Best Supporting Actress: Regina King
Best Adapted Screenplay: Barry Jenkins
Best Original Score: Nicholas Britell

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
★Best Supporting Actress: Regina King
Best Screenplay: Barry Jenkins

Other Awards:
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Supporting Actress (King)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actress (King); Best Original Score (Nicholas Britell)
National Society of Film Critics/i>: Best Supporting Actress (King)
Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Original Score
National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (King); Best Adapted Screenplay
Independent Spirit Awards: Best Feature; Best Director; Best Supporting Actress (King)
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