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If Beale Street Could Talk(film)

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If Beale Street Could Talk
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBarry Jenkins
Screenplay byBarry Jenkins
Based onIf Beale Street Could Talk
byJames Baldwin
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJames Laxton
Edited by
Music byNicholas Britell
Production
companies
Distributed byAnnapurna Pictures
Release dates
  • September 9, 2018(2018-09-09)(TIFF)
  • December 14, 2018(2018-12-14)(United States)
Running time
117 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million[2]
Box office$20.6 million[3]

If Beale Street Could Talkis a 2018 Americanromantic drama filmwritten and directed byBarry Jenkinsand based onJames Baldwin's1974 novel.It stars anensemble castthat includesKiKi Layne,Stephan James,Colman Domingo,Teyonah Parris,Michael Beach,Dave Franco,Diego Luna,Pedro Pascal,Ed Skrein,Brian Tyree Henry,andRegina King.The film follows a young woman who, with her family's support, seeks to clear the name of her wrongly charged lover and prove his innocence before the birth of their child.

Following the success of Jenkins'Moonlight(2016), it was announced in July 2017 that he would direct an adaptation of Baldwin's novel, from a screenplay that he wrote in 2013. Principal photography began in October 2017 inNew York Cityand the cast was announced that month.

If Beale Street Could Talkhad its world premiere at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 9, 2018 and was theatrically released in the United States on December 14, 2018, byAnnapurna Pictures.It was praised for its acting, Jenkins's screenplay and direction, cinematography, and the musical score. It was chosen by both theNational Board of Reviewand theAmerican Film Instituteas one of the Top 10 Films of 2018. The film receivednumerous accolades,including Best Supporting Actress wins for King at theAcademy AwardsandGolden Globes.It was also nominated forBest Motion Picture – DramaandBest Screenplayat the76th Golden Globe Awards,andBest Adapted ScreenplayandBest Original Scoreat the91st Academy Awards.

Plot

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Note: The film's structure isnon-linear,but this plot summary is written in a linear fashion.

Clementine "Tish" Rivers and Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt have been friends their whole lives. They become romantically involved when they get older. In the 1970s, they struggle to find an apartment, as mostNew Yorklandlordswould not rent to black people.Eventually, they find a place in a warehouse being converted toloft apartments;Levy, the Jewishlandlord,rents it to them because he enjoys seeing couples who are in love, regardless of race.

That night, Tish is harassed by a man while in a mostly white grocery store. He begins to assault her, so Fonny physically throws him out of the store. A white policeman nearby, Officer Bell, attempts to arrest Fonny for it, but reluctantly lets him go when the Jewish woman who runs the grocery store vouches for them and chastises Bell for his racism.

Fonny is later arrested and accused of raping a woman named Victoria Rogers. Although nearly impossible for him to have gone from thescene of the crimeto the apartment where he was arrested in the time between the rape and the arrest, the case against Fonny is considered strong due to Officer Bell'stestimony.The claim is he saw Fonny fleeing the scene, and Victoria identified Fonny in alineupas her rapist. Tish, as well as Fonny's friend Daniel Carty, were with him at the time of the rape, but it is considered an unreliable alibi due to Tish's romantic relationship with Fonny and Daniel's previous conviction forgrand theft auto.

Tish visits Fonny in jail as he awaits trial and reveals to him that she is pregnant with their baby. Fonny is excited to be a father, but saddened that the birth might be while he is still behind bars. Later, Tish tells her parents, Sharon and Joseph, and sister, Ernestine, about her pregnancy. Though worried for her, Tish's family is supportive and decide to invite Fonny's family over to share the news.

Frank, Fonny's father, is excited, however, Fonny's highly religious mother declares that as the child was conceived out of wedlock, Tish and her child are damned. As Mrs. Hunt begins to leave with her daughters in disgust after Frank hits her, Sharon reminds her that she has just condemned her own grandchild, leaving her emotionally distraught as she is escorted away.

In a bar, Frank and Joseph discuss how the former is worried about paying for a child and Fonny's legal expenses, but Joseph convinces him that they will be able to provide for their grandchild the same way they provided for their own children.

Sharon travels to Victoria's native Puerto Rico to plead with her to change her testimony. She tries to convince her she mistakenly identified Fonny as her rapist, but Victoria refuses. Questioning whether Victoria could have seen her rapist's face in the dark, Victoria says the police told her to identify Fonny in a line-up, and she did so. When Sharon gently touches her, Victoria begins to scream. An elderly woman overhears the commotion and comes to take Victoria away. Discouraged by the seeming hopelessness of his case and the constant trial delays, Tish gives birth to her son without Fonny, who eventually accepts a plea deal.

Tish and their child, Alonzo Jr., visit Fonny in prison. They share snacks together while looking forward to Fonny's eventual release.

Cast

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Production

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AuthorJames Baldwin

On July 10, 2017, it was announced thatBarry Jenkinswould direct an adaptation ofJames Baldwin's novelIf Beale Street Could Talk.Jenkins wrote the screenplay during the summer of 2013, as he was writingMoonlight.[4]

On August 29, 2017,Stephan Jameswas set to star.[5]In September 2017,KiKi LayneandTeyonah Parriswere also added, with Layne in the female lead.[6][7]Lin-Manuel Mirandawas almost cast in the film, but he was ultimately not, though he and Jenkins got acquainted and kept in touch since.[8]

On October 18, 2017, it was reported thatIf Beale Street Could Talkhad begun filming inNew York City.[9]That same month,Regina King,Colman Domingo,Brian Tyree Henry,Dave Franco,andEd Skreinjoined the cast of the film.[10][11][12][13]Michael Beach,Finn Wittrock,Aunjanue Ellis,andDiego Lunawere added in November,[14][15][16]and in December 2017,Pedro PascalandEmily Riosjoined.[17][18]In March 2018,Nicholas Britellwas announced as the composer of the film's score.[19]

Music

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Main article:If Beale Street Could Talk (soundtrack)

Release

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If Beale Street Could Talkbegan a limited release in the United States on December 14, 2018, with an expanded release on December 25. It had previously been scheduled for November 30, 2018.[20]The film had its world premiere at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 9, 2018.[21]It also screened at theNew York Film Festivalon October 11, 2018, theNew Orleans Film Festivalon October 21, 2018,[22][23]and the St. Louis International Film Festival on November 10, 2018.

Reception

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Box office

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If Beale Street Could Talkgrossed $14.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $5.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $20.6 million.[3]

During its opening weekend, December 14, the film made $219,174 from four theaters, for a per-venue average of $54,794, one of the best of 2018.[24]In its second weekend, the film earned $114,902,[25]and in its third made $759,578 from 65 theaters.[26]In its fourth weekend, the film expanded to 335 theaters, earning $1.9 million.[27]The next weekend, January 11, following its Golden Globe win the film expanded to 1,018 theaters and grossed $2.3 million.[28]

Critical response

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Regina King's performance received widespread critical acclaim and earned her theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 95%, based on 363 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "If Beale Street Could Talkhonors its source material with a beautifully filmed adaptation that finds director Barry Jenkins further strengthening his visual and narrative craft. "[29]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 87 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[30]Audiences polled byPostTrakgave the film an 82% overall positive score and a 65% "definite recommend".[28]

Eric Kohn ofIndieWiregave the film an "A−", stating: "Jenkins' follow-up toMoonlightalso maintains his own expressionistic aesthetic, with its lush colors and entrancing faces that speak volumes in few words, resulting in a fascinating hybrid experience — a seminal voice of the past merging with one of the present in a mesmerizing burst of creative passion. "[31]Siddhant Adlakha of/Filmsaid the film felt "electric and alive" and specified, "The worlds these characters create — whether in the form of individual, soul-piercing stares, or moments of burning passion filmed in profile — carry with them the weight of the very history of which Tish constantly speaks."[32]

Accolades

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Main article:List of accolades received by If Beale Street Could Talk

At the76th Golden Globe Awards,the film was nominated for three awards:Best Motion Picture – Drama,Best Supporting Actressfor King, andBest Screenplay,with King winning. At the91st Academy Awards,the film was nominated forBest Adapted Screenplay,Best Original Score,andBest Supporting Actressfor Regina King, with King winning.[33]At the24th Critics' Choice Awards,the film received five nominations, includingBest Picture,Best Supporting Actressfor King, andBest Adapted Screenplay.Both theNational Board of ReviewandAmerican Film Instituteincluded it in their top 10 films of 2018.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"If Beale Street Could Talk".Toronto International Film Festival.RetrievedNovember 25,2018.
  2. ^Thompson, Anne (October 10, 2018)."Annapurna's Stunning Shakeup: What the Hell Is Megan Ellison Doing?".IndieWire.RetrievedOctober 10,2018.
  3. ^ab"If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedApril 7,2019.
  4. ^Kroll, Justin (July 10, 2017)."'Moonlight' Director Barry Jenkins Sets Next Movie (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.RetrievedJuly 10,2017.
  5. ^Kroll, Justin (August 29, 2017)."Barry Jenkins' New Film Casts 'Shots Fired' Star Stephan James (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
  6. ^Kroll, Justin (September 13, 2017)."Barry Jenkins' New Film Finds Lead in Newcomer Kiki Layne (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
  7. ^Sneider, Jeff (September 25, 2017)."Teyonah Parris In Talks To Join Barry Jenkins' 'Moonlight' Follow-Up 'If Beale Street Could Talk'".The Tracking Board.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
  8. ^Murray, Iana (April 29, 2024)."Mufasa: The Lion King Trailer Interview: Barry Jenkins On Blue Ivy Carter, The New Songs, And More".Empire.RetrievedApril 30,2024.
  9. ^"'Moonlight' director Barry Jenkins starts work on new movie ".Malay Mail Online.October 18, 2017.RetrievedOctober 19,2017.
  10. ^Busch, Anita (October 24, 2017)."Regina King Joins Barry Jenkins' Next Film 'If Beale Street Could Talk'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedOctober 24,2017.
  11. ^McNary, Dave (October 25, 2017)."Colman Domingo Joins Barry Jenkins' Drama 'If Beale Street Could Talk'".Variety.RetrievedOctober 25,2017.
  12. ^N'Duka, Amanda (October 30, 2017)."'Atlanta' Star Brian Tyree Henry Joins Barry Jenkins' 'If Beale Street Could Talk'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  13. ^N'Duka, Amanda (October 30, 2017)."'If Beale Street Could Talk': Dave Franco & Ed Skrein Cast In Barry Jenkins' Film ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  14. ^N'Duka, Amanda (November 4, 2017)."Eloise Mumford Joins 'We Are Unsatisfied'; Michael Beach Boards 'If Beale Street Could Talk'; Nickola Shreli In 'Killerman'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedNovember 15,2017.
  15. ^N'Duka, Amanda (November 6, 2017)."Finn Wittrock & Aunjanue Ellis Cast In 'If Beale Street Could Talk'".Deadline Hollywood.Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2018.RetrievedNovember 6,2017.
  16. ^Morales, Wilson (November 20, 2017)."Exclusive: Diego Luna Joins Barry Jenkins' Love Story" If Beale Street Could Talk "".Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2018.RetrievedNovember 20,2017.
  17. ^Hipes, Patrick; N'Duka, Amanda (December 4, 2017)."Pedro Pascal Joins Barry Jenkins' 'If Beale Street Could Talk'; Ashlie Atkinson Cast In 'Black Klansman'".RetrievedDecember 4,2017.
  18. ^N'Duka, Amanda (December 11, 2017)."Emily Rios Joins 'If Beale Street Could Talk'; Craig Di Francia Cast In 'Green Book'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 31,2018.
  19. ^"Nicholas Britell to Score Barry Jenkins" If Beale Street Could Talk "".FilmMusicReporter.March 21, 2018.RetrievedMarch 23,2018.
  20. ^Sharf, Zack (August 2, 2018)."'If Beale Street Could Talk' First Trailer: Oscar Winner Barry Jenkins Returns After 'Moonlight' Breakout ".IndieWire.RetrievedAugust 2,2018.
  21. ^Vlessing, Etan (July 24, 2018)."Toronto: Timothee Chalamet Starrer 'Beautiful Boy,' Dan Fogelman's 'Life Itself' Among Festival Lineup".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 24,2018.
  22. ^"If Beale Street Could Talk".New York Film Festival.RetrievedAugust 28,2018.
  23. ^Siegel, Tatiana (August 7, 2018)."Elisabeth Moss Punk Rock Drama 'Her Smell' to Screen at New York Film Fest".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedAugust 7,2018.
  24. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 16, 2018)."'Spider-Verse' Raises $35M+ As 'The Mule' Kicks Up $17M+ In Pre-Christmas Period, But 'Mortal Engines' Breaks Down With $7M+ ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 17,2018.
  25. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 23, 2018)."'Aquaman' Grabs $67M+ Weekend For $72M+ Cume; 2018 B.O. Poised To Pass $11.4B For New Record – Early Sunday Update ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 23,2018.
  26. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 30, 2018)."'Aquaman' Sailing To $52M+ 2nd Weekend; $189M+ Cume Pacing Ahead Of 'Doctor Strange' & 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  27. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 6, 2018)."'Aquaman' Still The Big Man At The B.O. With $30M+; 'Escape Room' Packs In $17M+ – Early Sunday Update ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJanuary 6,2019.
  28. ^abD'Alessandro, Anthony (January 13, 2018)."'Upside' Set To Be STX's First No. 1 Opener With $19M+; 'Aquaman' Flips Over $1B WW; Keanu Reeves Hits B.O. Low With 'Replicas'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJanuary 13,2019.
  29. ^"If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  30. ^"If Beale Street Could Talk reviews".Metacritic.RetrievedFebruary 18,2019.
  31. ^Kohn, Eric (September 10, 2018)."'If Beale Street Could Talk' Review: Barry Jenkins Turns James Baldwin Novel Into a Masterful Poetic Romance — TIFF ".IndieWire.Penske Business Media.RetrievedSeptember 10,2018.
  32. ^Adlakha, Siddhant (October 10, 2018)."Unbow Your Head, Sister: Exploring the Beauty of 'If Beale Street Could Talk' [NYFF]"./Film.RetrievedOctober 10,2018.
  33. ^"Oscar Winners 2019: The Complete List".Variety.February 24, 2019.RetrievedAugust 2,2019.
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