IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK Based on James Baldwin's novel Directed by Barry Jenkins

The brilliant Acad. Award winning director/screenwriter Barry Jenkins ("Moonlighting") has adapted James Baldwin's novel "If Beale Street Could Talk" (1974) into an artisan testament of racism, blind hatred and omnipotent love.  Baldwin (b Amer. 1924-1987) was one of America's most prominent writers & outspoken activist for social equality.  Baldwin was born & raised in Harlem where he sets his novel during the 1970's.  It's a love story between a young black woman, Tish (a tour-de-force  performance by Kiki Layner) and Fonnie (Stephan James "Homecoming" opposite Julia Roberts.)  This isn't a star crossed lovers story but a tragedy non-the-less of omnipresent oppression in the US since the years of slavery, the Jim Crowe South, the Civil Rights movement and a repugnant resurgence of white supremacy & bigotry today.  Jenkins magnificently captures a beautiful love between Tish (the film's narrator) and Fonnie.  Tish can't remember a time without Fonnie "...{we are} part of each other, flesh to flesh."  Tish is 19 and Fonnie 22 when she becomes pregnant.  Both are excited to celebrate new life.  Tish's is surrounded by a loving & supportive family; doting big sis and magnanimous supporting parents played by Regina King and Colman Domingo.  Both King & Domingo should receive supporting Oscar nominations.  Fonnie's family is represent the haughty, snobbish side of racial hierarchy within the black community.  Fonnie's father aligns with his son & Tish and her family.  The real threat to the hopefulness & joyous anticipation of Tish & Fonnie's baby is the vicious cycle of racism, oppression and poverty.  Daniel, an old friend from the hood tells Tish & Fonnie, "The white man has got to be the devil."  Daniel was recently released from 3 years in prison on trumped up charges and for which he took an unjust plea deal.  "They can charge you with whatever.  They were playing with me cause they could.  They can do whatever they want.  This country really do not like niggers."  Daniel's incarceration foreshadows Fonnie's arrest on false accusations instigated by a white officer in retaliation after Fonnie was defended by a white woman.  Tish & her family desperately work to get Fonnie released to no avail.  Pain, injustice & devotion are seared in the faces of Tish & Fonnie seen through the glass partition that separates them in prison.  Baldwin wrote "It is certain, in any case that ignorance, allied with power is the most ferocious enemy that justice can have."  "If Beale Street Could Talk" is a masterpiece and speaks volumes in its long lingering looks of both hope, love & despair.  Archival period black/white photos & gleaming cinematography add immense poignancy. The ensemble cast is flawless.  There is compassion & kindness to be found amidst misery & hatred.  Tish's sentiment at the end of the film lingers.  "Trust love.  Trust it all the way."