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IMDbPro

If Beale Street Could Talk

  • 20182018
  • RR
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,381
89
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
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
5,381
89
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Barry Jenkins
    • Writers
      • Barry Jenkins(written for the screen by)
      • James Baldwin(based on the book by)
    • Stars
      • KiKi Layne
      • Stephan James
      • Regina King
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Barry Jenkins
    • Writers
      • 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
    • 319User reviews
    • 294Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 107 wins & 191 nominations total

    Videos11

    Final Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Final Trailer
    In Select Theaters Dec. 14
    Trailer 1:01
    In Select Theaters Dec. 14
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Official Trailer
    Official Teaser
    Trailer 2:16
    Official Teaser
    Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    Clip 3:09
    Aunjanue Ellis in Three Films
    Oscar-Winner Regina King and Stephan James Celebrate the 'Beale Street' Family
    Interview 1:00
    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
    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
    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
    Barry Jenkins' 'Beale Street' Stars Were Eager to Work With Him
    The Watchlist: Regina King Is Addicted to "Power"
    Video 1:15
    The Watchlist: Regina King Is Addicted to "Power"
    5 TIFF Films That Could Be Oscar Contenders
    Video 3:27
    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
    • Director
      • Barry Jenkins
    • Writers
      • 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 reviews319

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Strong 4 // Impressionistic drama
    Barry Jenkins follows up Moonlight with another impressionistic drama whose focus is firmly on mood over plot. Tish and Alonzo are young African Americans in Harlem, in the 1970s, and in love. This is the story of their relationship, and the challenges it faces during the era.

    In terms of craft, If Beale Street Could Talk is a confident step forward for Jenkins. It's a rapturously beautiful film full of powerful images captured by a disembodied camera that floats, glides, and contemplates. Jenkins creates a potently intimate and romantic atmosphere around his two leads who together glow like a flame warding off the darkness of their time. The specifics of the narrative itself, which is admittedly somewhat lacking in depth, is really secondary to the mood. The power of the film lies in its style and Jenkins' keen ability to express emotion through his images. The music, picture, and editing routinely coalesce into a dreamlike and affecting whole greater than the sum of its parts.

    Though as wonderful as the style is and as crucial as I see it to be for the film, it can occasionally become a tad overbearing. Jenkins is coming off of a Best Picture win for his sophomore film and enjoying the resulting budgetary benefits. It's only natural that he would revel in it a bit and the results are often ravishing, though sometimes at the expense of restraint. Some scenes can drag and come off as a bit too self-indulgent. And the central relationship, while undeniably tender and well-acted, edges slightly into over-idealization as we're shown scene after scene of swooning love declarations and longing gazes. This creates a syrupy quality that somewhat lessens the impact of the heavy social themes at the film's core.

    The film ultimately succeeds, though, on the strength of its craft and powerful images. It's a film that clearly cares deeply about its characters and message which, sadly, remains startlingly relevant.

    Solid 4/5
    helpful•26
    11
    • ccamp89
    • Jan 13, 2019

    Details

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

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,915,773
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $224,476
      • Dec 16, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,596,567
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

    Related news

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