Consider me none-too-surprised, and unmoved, by the news that Barry Jenkins’ tepid love story “If Beale Street Could Talk” won Best Picture and Best Director at the 34th annual Indie Spirit Awards. The “Moonlight” writer-director’s adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel about racial injustice in America had beautiful photography, courtesy of James Laxton fine lenses, but could match its aesthetic prowess with thematic resonance. I am of the minority opinion when it comes to this film, alas, hopefully father time will make these sentiments age like fine wine.
Excerpts from my original TIFF review of “If Beale Street Could Talk”:
“Jenkins, who vastly impressed us with "Moonlight," builds up a slow-moving narrative that doesn't always hit the mark. We all know he is infatuated with Wong Kar-Wai's cinema, so much so that I overheard someone name-check him as 'Wong Kar-Jenkins. From the amber-lit, shadowy frames, to the use of slo-mo, Jenkins uses the same stylistic techniques he used in his Oscar-winning film, but to a lesser effect here because, well, the source material he has at his disposal, although incredibly moving on page, feels almost unfilmable on screen. The meditative, pretentious approach that he decides to use in 'Beale' rings false, and makes you wonder whether he should have used a more formalist, less heavy-handed approach with his narrative.”
“Jumping back and forth between past and present, Jenkins uses flashbacks to slowly reveal the events that led to Fonny's arrest. There are fragmented moments here between James and Layne that are quite lovely --- both actors, relatively unknown, are also beautiful to look at and invest the kind of natural realism in their roles that will surely have casting agents calling them left and right in the weeks and months to come.”
“The moody atmosphere, driven by James Laxton's sumptuously gorgeous cinematography (those greens!), Nicholas Britell‘s exquisite musical score, and Jenkins' prescient eye for detail showcase the high-grade talent behind the camera. The film turns into a picturesque experience more than any kind of involving, tension-filled, or even emotional one.”