Wednesday, BBC2, 11:30pm
Barry Jenkins’ 2018 adaptation of If Beale Street Could Talk, based on James Baldwin’s seminal novel, is a masterclass in visual storytelling that captures the aching beauty and injustice faced by Black Americans. The film's narrative revolves around Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), a young couple in 1970s Harlem whose love is tested when Fonny is wrongfully imprisoned. Jenkins immerses the viewer in their world, bringing to life Baldwin's evocative prose through sumptuous cinematography and tender performances. The film explores themes of love, systemic oppression, and the indomitable human spirit, serving as both a celebration of Black love and a searing critique of institutional racism.
The soundtrack, composed by Nicholas Britell, is integral to the film’s emotional impact. Britell, known for his collaborations with Jenkins on Moonlight and Adam McKay’s Succession, brings a soulful and orchestral palette that underscores the film’s poetic tone. His compositions blend classical string arrangements with hints of jazz, paying homage to the era while adding a contemporary sensibility. The recurring piece, “Eden (Harlem),” encapsulates the dichotomy of hope and sorrow, with its lush strings and melancholic undertones mirroring Tish’s unrelenting optimism and the harsh reality of Fonny’s incarceration. It’s a soundtrack that lives and breathes, capturing the essence of Baldwin’s Harlem with a timeless grace.
The soundtrack also weaves in classic soul tracks, further grounding the film in its cultural context. Nina Simone’s rendition of “That’s All I Ask” and Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green” add depth and authenticity, situating the viewer within the soundscape of Black America. Britell’s score and the carefully selected songs are not mere accompaniments but narrative forces in their own right, highlighting the tension between love’s endurance and the relentless weight of prejudice. Together, Jenkins’ direction and Britell’s music create a cinematic experience that feels like a vivid, lyrical dream—one where the beauty of love is always palpable, even amidst the most devastating of circumstances.
- Daisy Rae