If Beale Street Could Talk 2018

Movie · 117 min · English · September 9, 2018

Historical romance Independent Romantic drama

Directed by Barry JenkinsWritten by Barry Jenkins

Starring KiKi Layne, Milanni Mines, Stephan James, Ethan Barrett, Regina King

A 2018 American romantic drama film, If Beale Street Could Talk was written and directed by Barry Jenkins based on James Baldwin's 1974 novel. The film features an ensemble cast including KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, and Regina King. It tells the story of a young woman who, with her family's support, works to clear the name of her wrongly accused lover and prove his innocence before the birth of their child.

After the success of Jenkins's Moonlight (2016), it was announced in July 2017 that he would direct this novel adaptation. He had written a screenplay for it in 2013. Principal photography commenced in October 2017 in New York City, and the cast was revealed that same month.

The film premiered worldwide at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2018. It opened theatrically in the United States on December 14, 2018 through Annapurna Pictures. Critics praised its performances, Jenkins's screenplay and direction, cinematography, and musical score. It was selected as one of the Top 10 Films of 2018 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. The movie garnered multiple honors, including a Best Supporting Actress award for King at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. It also received nominations for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Screenplay at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, and for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score at the 91st Academy Awards.