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Romantic ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ shines with simplicity

This image released by Annapurna Pictures shows Stephan James, left, and Brian Tyree Henry in a scene from "If Beale Street Could Talk." (Tatum Mangus/Annapurna Pictures via AP)

The torch has been passed. In the 1970’s, the famous black activist, James Baldwin, created a story focused on unbiased love that only a new set of hands could do justice. Barry Jenkins was the answer. The acclaimed director’s latest work is as warm as any film gets. Patient, poignant, and poetic, “If Beale Street Could Talk” is a masterful period romance.

In 1970’s Harlem, two young adults, Clementine “Tish” Rivers (Kiki Layne) and Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt (Stephan James), discover their love for one another, after being close friends ever since childhood. As the two begin to bond, Fonny is falsely arrested for a crime he did not commit. While trying to find a way to clear Fonny’s name, Tish much also confront her impending pregnancy.

There isn’t much complexity to the story of this film; it is in the simplicity that the beauty really shines. There are no over-dramatized moments. Love is shown as pure love. While the racism in the film is sets the plot into motion, it is never too overt. It quietly preys on the main characters. That is until the moments when the shameful truth of the time period is made evident, making the storytelling all the more emotional. The constant theme of the power of love and hope helps to hide the gloomy unrest. An excellent story provides a strong backbone to this film, but the even more resonant screenplay is equally important.

A romance this powerful requires talented actors to bring it to life. Layne’s breakout performance is very impressive. The fact that this is her first major performance is a surprise. From her sincere delivery, to her equally talented body language, Layne has a potential-filled career ahead of her. James is just as sentimental, with facial expressions that capture what words cannot. The more impassioned moments are saved for Regina King, who is garnering quite a bit of attention for her role as Tish’s mother, deservedly so.

Jenkins is a director who likes to capture humans for being human. Just like his previous film, “Moonlight,” a large fraction of shots is spent on extreme close ups. The heavy focus on the human experience makes the film feel grounded. We are being shown what the characters in the movie see. As the narrative progresses, so does the visual storytelling. The camerawork feels so fluid and natural, matching the tone of the film. With Jenkins, the cinematographer, James Lankis, has found a soothing balance.

As immersive as this film is, it’s hard to be engaged when the pacing is so slow. The excessive time spent on style became a little too much. I can understand a signature touch here and there, but when it becomes a part of a vast majority of the scenes, there needs to be a break.

Every ounce of “If Beale Street Could Talk” was made with heart. Every facet of this movie was meticulously constructed, making a film that is as beautiful as it is gentle. Patient viewers will find a satisfying payoff, just listen to what the film has to say. Beale Street has a lot.

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