IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (15)

★★★★★

OSCAR winner writer-director Barry Jenkins proves Moonlight was no fluke with his sublime adaptation of the novel penned by James Baldwin, which charts a love story against the turbulent backdrop of racial injustice in 1970s Harlem.

Masterfully constructed in fluid and visually arresting takes that make the heart swell, If Beale Street Could Talk conceals its devastating narrative blows behind impeccable production design and the swooning orchestral score.

Best friends Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne) and Fonny Hunt (Stephan James) fall in love and attempt to set up home together, only to find that most landlords won’t rent an apartment to a black couple.

On their way home, Tish endures unwelcome advances from another man and Fonny angrily intervenes. A passing police officer, Bell (Ed Skrein), threatens to arrest Fonny but the owner of a nearby grocery store intervenes and vouches for the couple. Soon after, a woman (Emily Rios) accuses Fonny of rape and officer Bell’s damning testimony seals his fate.

As Fonny awaits trial in prison, Tish confirms she is pregnant to her parents (Regina King, Colman Domingo) and vows to prove her man’s innocence.

This film speaks clearly and eloquently about the resilience of the human spirit and the strength mothers derive from protecting their broods.

KiKi Layne as Tish Rivers and Stephan James as Fonny Hunt