Overview
A poignant tale of love and injustice unfolds in Harlem, where hope battles against systemic racism.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tender
- melancholic
- lyrical
- reflective evening
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the beautifully filmed, lyrical adaptation for its emotional performances and Barry Jenkins's expressionistic visual and narrative craft.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tish and Fonny's relationship is separated and endangered by a racist police officer and false imprisonment.
Barry Jenkins emphasizes lush colors, profile shots, soul-piercing stares, and close emotional observation.
Tish relies on her Harlem family and future in-laws while seeking justice for Fonny.
Tish's account moves through flashbacks detailing her relationship with Fonny and the events surrounding his arrest.
Films like If Beale Street Could Talk, and why
Moonlight
shared intimate romance, systemic racism, and emotionally immersive family drama
Loving
shared Black American love story, historical oppression, and lyrical visual style
The Photograph
shared period romance confronting racial injustice through family and community
The Old Man and the Storm
shared James Baldwin adaptation, racial prejudice, and intimate emotional drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Barry Jenkins
- Release Date
- 2018-12-14
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1254)
Cast
- KiKi Layne
- Stephan James
- Regina King
- Colman Domingo
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
- Michael Beach
- Finn Wittrock
- Brian Tyree Henry
- Emily Rios
- Teyonah Parris
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is If Beale Street Could Talk about?
- A tender Harlem love story becomes a determined family struggle against a racist arrest and the machinery of false imprisonment.
- What is If Beale Street Could Talk like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of If Beale Street Could Talk as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is If Beale Street Could Talk violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in If Beale Street Could Talk as mild.
- What did critics think of If Beale Street Could Talk?
- Critics broadly praised the beautifully filmed, lyrical adaptation for its emotional performances and Barry Jenkins's expressionistic visual and narrative craft.
- Which films are like If Beale Street Could Talk?
- Films with a similar feel include Moonlight, Loving, The Photograph, and The Old Man and the Storm.
- How long is If Beale Street Could Talk?
- If Beale Street Could Talk runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch If Beale Street Could Talk?
- In United States, If Beale Street Could Talk streams on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
