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IMDbPro

If Beale Street Could Talk

  • 20182018
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,693
102
Stephan James and KiKi Layne in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Based on the novel by James Baldwin, this is the story of Tish, a newly-engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover's innocence while carrying their first-born child.
Play trailer1:01
11 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaRomance
A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,693
102
    • Barry Jenkins
    • Barry Jenkins(written for the screen by)
    • James Baldwin(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • KiKi Layne
    • Stephan James
    • Regina King
    • Barry Jenkins
    • Barry Jenkins(written for the screen by)
    • James Baldwin(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • KiKi Layne
    • Stephan James
    • Regina King
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 321User reviews
    • 296Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos11

    Final Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Watch Final Trailer
    In Select Theaters Dec. 14
    Trailer 1:01
    Watch In Select Theaters Dec. 14
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Watch Official Trailer
    Official Teaser
    Trailer 2:16
    Watch Official Teaser
    Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    Clip 3:09
    Watch Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    Oscar-Winner Regina King and Stephan James Celebrate the 'Beale Street' Family
    Interview 1:00
    Watch Oscar-Winner Regina King and Stephan James Celebrate the 'Beale Street' Family
    Stephan James Talks "Homecoming" With Julia Roberts,'If Beale Street Could Talk'
    Interview 0:55
    Watch Stephan James Talks "Homecoming" With Julia Roberts,'If Beale Street Could Talk'
    Regina King on the Scenes That Earned Her an Oscar Nom
    Video 2:37
    Watch Regina King on the Scenes That Earned Her an Oscar Nom
    Barry Jenkins' 'Beale Street' Stars Were Eager to Work With Him
    Video 3:48
    Watch Barry Jenkins' 'Beale Street' Stars Were Eager to Work With Him
    The Watchlist: Regina King Is Addicted to "Power"
    Video 1:15
    Watch The Watchlist: Regina King Is Addicted to "Power"
    5 TIFF Films That Could Be Oscar Contenders
    Video 3:27
    Watch 5 TIFF Films That Could Be Oscar Contenders

    Photos197

    Regina King in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Kerry Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Regina King at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Dominique Thorne at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Teyonah Parris at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Teyonah Parris at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Teyonah Parris at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Teyonah Parris at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Eli Goree, Shamier Anderson, Stephan James, and Chantel Riley at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Stephan James at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Teyonah Parris at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
    Brian Tyree Henry at an event for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

    Top cast

    Edit
    KiKi Layne
    KiKi Layne
    • Tish Rivers
    Stephan James
    Stephan James
    • Alonzo 'Fonny' Hunt
    Regina King
    Regina King
    • Sharon Rivers
    Teyonah Parris
    Teyonah Parris
    • Ernestine Rivers
    Colman Domingo
    Colman Domingo
    • Joseph Rivers
    Ethan Barrett
    Ethan Barrett
    • Young Fonny
    Milanni Mines
    • Young Tish
    Ebony Obsidian
    Ebony Obsidian
    • Adrienne Hunt
    Dominique Thorne
    Dominique Thorne
    • Sheila Hunt
    Michael Beach
    Michael Beach
    • Frank Hunt
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Aunjanue Ellis
    • Mrs. Hunt
    Diego Luna
    Diego Luna
    • Pedrocito
    Emily Rios
    Emily Rios
    • Victoria Rogers
    Ed Skrein
    Ed Skrein
    • Officer Bell
    Finn Wittrock
    Finn Wittrock
    • Hayward
    Brian Tyree Henry
    Brian Tyree Henry
    • Daniel Carty
    Carl Parker
    • Black Cat #1
    Shabazz Ray
    Shabazz Ray
    • Black Cat #2
      • Barry Jenkins
      • Barry Jenkins(written for the screen by)
      • James Baldwin(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    'Beale' Stars Were Eager to Work With Barry Jenkins

    'Beale' Stars Were Eager to Work With Barry Jenkins

    If Beale Street Could Talk stars Stephan James, Regina King, KiKi Layne, and more discuss what it was like to collaborate with director Barry Jenkins and why they were so eager to join the project.
    Watch our interview
    Image caption not available
    View image

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The name Deux Soeurs is displayed at the perfume counter where Tish works. Deux Soeurs is not a known parfumerie, but Deux Soeurs, LLC is credited as the film's copyright holder. The story also features two pairs of sisters.
    • Goofs
      When Tish is waiting on a subway platform where the 1960s-style enamel column plates say that the station is 135th St (probably on the 8th Ave line rather than on the Lenox Ave line). However, the mosaic on the wall above the tracks features a capital 'B' -- suggesting that filming may have taken place in the now-closed-off part of the Bowery station on the Nassau St line.
    • Quotes

      Sharon Rivers: I don't want to sound foolish, but remember love is what brought you here. And if you've trusted love this far, don't panic now. Trust it all the way.

    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Early Oscar Contenders You NEED to See (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Mist of a Dream
      Written by Sidney Banks

      Performed by Birdlegs & Pauline

      Courtesy of The Numero Group

      By arrangement with Bank Robber Music

    User reviews321

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A Breathtaking Look at a Love Story in 1970s Harlem
    I think it is safe to say that If Beale Street Could Talk was my most anticipated film of 2018, given how masterful the trailer was. I was so excited. The trailer made me sob tears of sadness, but also of joy, and I could not wait for the film. Well, I saw the film today, and despite how excellent the film was, I was slightly disappointed. And when I say disappointed, I do not mean the film was bad by any means. But aw man, I was really expecting a flipping masterpiece.

    Now, here are the positives. If Beale Street Could Talk is the most aesthetically pleasing film I have ever seen. From the vibrant colors (especially the shades of yellow) to the 360 degree camera movement to the beautiful close ups of every man and woman's face, I could not help but be in awe of the cinematography and editing in this film. It is extraordinary. This is hands down the most beautiful film I have ever seen. It was absolutely superb.

    I also thought this was the best acted film of probably the past several years, if I am being honest. Newcomer KiKi Layne delivers such an extraordinary performance, from her subtle facial movements to her beautiful inflections in her voice to her mannerisms. I loved her performance so much. I also thought Stephan James had the most charming and romantic dialogue, but his delivery made it even more consistent and real. The chemistry between the two blew Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's interactions from A Star is Born out of the water. I also do not want to neglect all of the supporting cast, especially from Colman Domingo and Regina King.

    The music broke my heart. It is constructed so eloquently, and as I listen to "Agape" by Nicholas Britell, I want to start sobbing. It is that well-done. The score has this sense of mysterious intrigue, yet euphoric hypnotism that also has a hint of sadness and uncertainty that draws you in so perfectly. It is my favorite score of the decade, if I am being honest. It is that well-composed.

    Now, I can go on and on about the merits of this film, because there are tons. But I do have some problems, and it breaks my heart that there is even anything "wrong" with this movie. Now, I was under the impression that this film would be about the love story between two African Americans during the 1970s, that would be tested amidst a false accusation and an unexpected pregnancy. Now, while I was up for all of that, I feel like the film becomes a tad bit unfocused. While the first half of the film deals with the love story so passionately, the second half takes time away from our two leads and gives time to supporting characters that are not as important to me. I understand that the false accusation had to be delved into a bit, but the film got a little too involved with that, and it made me kind of disappointed that the love story was being neglected for the sake of explaining more of something I didn't care as much about. I just feel like Barry Jenkins gave everything his all with about eighty percent of the film, but he wasn't as into some of the legal/false accusation stuff, and felt the need to include it for whatever reason. That is just me though. I also think a minor performance from a character was kind of awful. It was a very small, yet critical part of the film, and given how superb everyone else was, this one woman's acting stuck out like a sore thumb.Along with that, a friend of Fonny shows up, and although he delivers a fantastic performance, I think the scene involving him was unimportant and did not really tie with the rest of the film all that much.

    I also think the film was not just unfocused, but a little tonally inconsistent too. One second, the film has you in tears, but without even giving time for the audience to breathe, a narration happens with pumped up jazz and Harlem Renaissance music that feels a little too soon. There are moments of sadness, tears, despair, but also hope, feelings that I thought were displayed perfectly here. However, some comedy was included along with some genuine moments of suspense, but I don't think they really fit. What I am really trying to say is that all of these individual elements are phenomenal on their own, but they do not mesh well together at certain parts here, which makes the film drag in some places, which I really hate saying, because I loved so much of the film.

    Anyways, I want to see this film over and over again, regardless of my complaints. It is a such a fantastic and unique love story that is in the backdrop of some horrible times within the United States. Perhaps, the problems I have will be forgiven in the future. Only time will tell. Regardless of what happens, the film's score will always have a special place in my ears.
    helpful•12
    9
    • andrewestrella
    • Jan 9, 2019

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    Photos

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 2018 (United States)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Annapurna Pictures
      • Plan B Entertainment
      • PASTEL
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 59 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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