If Beale Street Could Talk

A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while trying to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime.

If Beale Street could in fact talk it might ask: why over-romanticise such a story about false imprisonment? This is a slow and hugely artistic film, where initial feelings of outrage and inequality relent to boredom. The characters are likeable enough, and family dynamics portrayed with great warmth and heart, but such redeeming scenes are few and far between. This poetic, lovey-dovey narrative belongs in the clouds, which is a true representation of the distance it creates with the audience and their empathy. Doesn't walk.

Limited Release 14th February 2019
Entertainment One Films 119 mins