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.
Read moreBarry Jenkins' 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Disappoints [TIFF]
Barry Jenkins' "Moonlight" was such a universally praised film that you knew whatever he made next would be met with tremendously high expectations. His decision to adapt James Baldwin's masterful 1974 novel "If Beale Street Could Talk" was unexpected but much welcome, as that novel's themes of social injustice, poverty, and racial disillusionment still very much resonate to this day.
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