Review of If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) by Hector V — 12 Jan 2019

Jenkins' unrivaled direction and auteurship is felt in full force once again. With rich colors and gentle, airy cinematography from previous 'Moonlight' collaborator James Laxton, the film is achingly beautiful from the second it starts. Jenkins creates a tight grip on his audience's hearts immediately, squeezing away relentlessly with the deeply emotional atmosphere his uniquely directed scenes create. In addition, Nicholas Britell's rapturously haunting score captures the wavering fears and wonders of youth transitioning into adulthood in pitch perfect harmony next to Jenkins' craftsmanship.

It can get tedious, though. Many scenes play out like the inherently scattered chapters of a book, which can often lose the film some of its focus and stretch out its pacing to the slower side. Jenkins' direction can also border on self-indulgence at times, drawing the film out more than it should be even more, but it is nice seeing a director's vision fulfilled as purely as it appears.

Braving out the lethargic, spread out narrative of 'If Beale Street Could Talk' is completely worthwhile, though, as every scene has more visual or emotional artistry than the average drama as a whole.