The trailer for If Beale Street Could Talk has just been revealed and it looks like it’s going to be one hell of an Oscar contender. The film is directed by Barry Jenkins known for his directorial efforts in the Best Picture winning Moonlight. The film stars Kiki Layne, Stephen James, Regina King, Pedro Pascal, Dave Franco, Brian Tyree Henry and many others.
Based off the novel of the same name by acclaimed writer and social critic James Baldwin, it follows two young African Americans in 1970s Harlem by the names of Tish and Fonny who are in love. Things go bad as Fonny is accused of rape and Tish is pregnant after Fonny is imprisoned. She, her family and her lawyers have to find evidence to free Fonny before the baby is born. At least that’s how it is in the book and it’s pretty clear than Jenkins wouldn’t try to change too much from the acclaimed source material.
The trailer is pretty vague but definitely stresses the 70s setting and the struggles of the family following Fonny’s imprisonment. The cast is made up of relatively unknowns (to mainstream film at least) but does feature several notable names such as Pedro Pascal from crime drama Narcos, Brian Tyree Henry from acclaimed comedy Atlanta and Dave Franco, James Franco’s brother… okay, from The Disaster Artist and 21 Jump Street.
It’s safe to say that this is something to look out for come Oscar season and would probably tackle resonating themes such as racism, family and the struggles of minorities in America. Barry Jenkins is a great director and has been notable in tackling themes related to these struggles (Moonlight comes to mind). With Damien Chazelle set to release First Man later this year, here’s hoping for another mix up come next year’s Oscars.
If Beale Street Could Talk is set to be released on November 30, 2018
Source: Annapurna Pictures
