Final Film Critique: If Beale Street Could Talk

This film is non-linear, it’s scenes from Fonny being in prison, their life together, and their deep love they found in each other as a couple, while Tish narrates the film. This movie used high-key and low-key lighting to establish the theme which gave the movie a vintage feel and look. There were several scenes in the movie low-key lighting was used, the one that stands out the most is when Tish and Fonny were walking down the street after dinner under the umbrella confusing their love to each other. The high-key lighting was used in scenes when he was incarcerated, mainly at the end of the movie. Their son was about four years old, and Tish took him to see his father in prison; it was a moment that represented growth. Being that it was ultimately a love story using low-key lighting predominately throughout the film sets the tone for a more dramatic and emotional side of the story. The narrative displayed racism, bigotry, and negative effects of black people and how their love had been challenged. Despite their challenge’s actor Regina King (Mrs. Rivers) said, “If you trust love this far, trust it all the way.” I feel Regina King was saying, along with the lighting used; gave the audience the same feeling that Tish and Fonny felt for each other at that moment. It showed their deep love displayed between two young black adults, and the new life they had created. I feel the director, Barry Jenkins shot this scene to show the audience that there was love and hope between a young black couple despite racism, inequalities, and injustice.

Auteur Theory argues the film is the director’s vision and the director demonstrate their own style and themes that an audience will always recognized. Barry Jenkins is known for directing other large films such as “Moonlight” (2016). Barry Jenkins reached his auteur status when he directed “If Beale Street Could Talk”. (2018) According to Goodyknootnz, B. Jacobs, C.P. Meetze, J. and Pritts, N. (2019), Auteur theory argues “the director is indeed the author of the film, imprinting it with her or his personal vision”, pg. 8.3. Barry Jenkins has always acknowledged the writer, James Baldwin; but added his personal touch when it comes to lighting, and how he reminds the audience of the storyline during entire movie.

Romantic Genre

In conclusion, Jenkins is known for the colors, the low-key lights. Jenkins work is a more of a literacy genre, storytelling, he gives the audience a sense of imagination. His movies are about love, death, and struggles. Barry Jenkins directed “Moonlight” (2016) based on his and the writer’s Terrell McCraney’s childhood experiences. They both grew up trying to find their masculinity with two different sexual orientations. Jenkins said, “The movie is based on events that happened to me and Terrell, but it is a work of fiction”, Farah, S.(2016). both men are black, mothers had addictions, and they both are from Florida; an area that made them men. Jenkins gave it thought not to write the movie because of the script was written from a gay perspective and he didn’t want to take away from the contents of the script, but instead he made the comparison to growing up finding your identify as a black man living with a mother that has addictions despite the sexual orientations. Jenkins seems to relate to his films he writes based on the struggles he’s encountered, but through love he found growth.

References

Farah, S. (2016, December 12). Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins Steps into the Spotlight.

Owen, J. (2019, September 27). Beginner’s Guide: Barry Jenkins, Director.