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    Movie Review

    Romantic If Beale Street Could Talk shines a light on social justice

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 24, 2018 | 3:01 pm
    Romantic If Beale Street Could Talk shines a light on social justice
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    Writer/director Barry Jenkins announced himself as a major filmmaker with his second film, 2016’s Moonlight, which won three Oscars, including Best Picture. His follow-up, If Beale Street Could Talk, is already notable as it marks the first American fiction film adaptation of any of author James Baldwin’s works.

    The film centers on Fonny (Stephan James) and Tish (Kiki Layne), a young African-American couple who live in Harlem in the 1970s. It is at once timeless and timely, as it follows both their ever-evolving romance, one which grew out a friendship as kids, and the journey of a now-pregnant Tish trying to get Fonny out of prison after he is falsely accused of rape.

    For support, Tish leans on her family, including her mother, Sharon (Regina King), father, Joseph (Colman Domingo), and sister, Ernestine (Teyonah Parris). The film alternates between pre- and post-imprisonment scenes, demonstrating the depths of the love between Fonny and Tish, as well as the profound injustice of his arrest.

    While the film certainly does not shy away from social commentary, especially when Jenkins inserts pointed real-life examples of racism at work, it is highly effective when it comes to the romance side of things. Jenkins gives Fonny and Tish’s relationship plenty of time to breathe outside of the context of Fonny being in prison, and their bond is rightfully swoon-worthy.

    Providing Tish with a fiercely supportive and protective family gives the post-imprisonment portion of the film its oomph. Whether it’s confronting Fonny’s family, trying to track down Fonny’s accuser, or doing whatever it takes to make money to pay for a lawyer, the family is always there for Tish and Fonny, giving the story additional emotional heft.

    One puzzling aspect of the film is the casting of relatively well-known actors in the film’s few white roles. When Finn Wittrock pops up as a lawyer helping the family or Dave Franco as a Jewish landlord, each actor’s individual presence removes the focus from the story at hand. Casting character actors might have served those particular roles better.

    On the flip side is a mesmerizing appearance by Brian Tyree Henry. Coming midway through the film, his role is as memorable as they come. Playing Daniel, an old friend of Fonny who has recently gotten out of prison, Henry goes from joyous to heartbreaking in 12 short minutes, encapsulating the film perfectly.

    The film starts to drag in its final 20 minutes, suggesting that Jenkins should have cut down the film a bit more. But the strength of the performances by James, Layne, King, and more keep it from bottoming out, as does the underlying dramatic tension of whether or not Fonny will ever get out of jail.

    While perhaps a slight step down from the sublime Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk does nothing to diminish the burgeoning career of Jenkins. He and other African-American filmmakers continue to shine a light on under-represented people and stories, and the world is better for it.

    Kiki Layne and Stephan James in If Beale Street Could Talk.

    Kiki Layne and Stephan James in If Beale Street Could Talk
      
    Photo by Tatum Mangus/Annapurna Pictures
    Kiki Layne and Stephan James in If Beale Street Could Talk.
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    news/entertainment

    This week's hot headlines

    Death of Dallas Caramel Company founder leads week's most-read stories

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 14, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company

    Editor's note: It was a newsy week in Dallas. Sadly, the founder of a Dallas sweets company passed away; there was also news of a new gourmet European market in the works and peach cobbler coming to DFW Airport. Here's a chance to get caught up on the week's most-read stories, and here's help planning a fun weekend.

    1. Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52. Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

    2. Gourmet European Market to open in north Dallas with pierogi and more. A new food shop with a distinct European flair is coming to Dallas: Called Gourmet European Market, it's opening at 17435 Preston Rd., in a shopping center south of Frankford Road, where it will feature food products from all over Europe but with a special focus on the Eastern European countries of Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria.

    Gourmet European Market Polish gingerbreadPolish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM

    3. Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas. A chef and caterer has opened an eponymous to-go cafe south of Dallas: Called The Cedric Frazier Experience, it’s an upscale soul food kitchen located at 103 Waller St., in Red Oak, where it opened on June 7.

    4. Dallas cuts slack on senior homeowners with new property tax exemption. Dallas seniors who own a home got cut a break: On June 11, the Dallas City Council approved additional property tax relief for senior and disabled homeowners by increasing the city’s property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older or disabled.

    5. Peach cobbler concept to open 2 locations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Southern desserts are coming to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The Peach Cobbler Factory, a chain based in North Carolina, will open not one but two locations at the airport. The first DFW location will open in Terminal D in late 2025; a second location will open in the new Terminal C Pier in 2026.

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    news/entertainment

    most read posts

    Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas

    Barnes & Noble to open 2 new Dallas-area stores but will close Plano

    Celeb-owned L.A. pizza chain Pizzana to open in north Dallas

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