December 13, 2018

Lit to Movie Review: If Beale Street Could Talk


"I hope that nobody has ever had to look at anybody they love through glass." ~ pg. 12

If Beale Street Could Talk is a black lit classic written by James Baldwin in 1974. Here we are 40+ odd years later and the American justice system is still flawed with an overflow of wrong convictions. Like a blues song whose lyrics get stuck in your head, this short novel is sad but filled with harsh truths.

Fonny is a talented young artist unjustly arrested and locked up. His girlfriend, Tish, and her close-knit family are determined to free him no matter how much it costs. Freedom is priceless, especially when a newborn baby enters the picture. It is a beautiful story of young love, perseverance, and the strength of a black family.

"It was a strange weight, a presence coming into me - into a me I had not known was there." ~ pg. 57

One thing I have to admit though, where did the title come from? Which character lived on Beale Street? To my recollection, I don't remember it ever being mentioned in the book. Let's hope the movie will tie it all together. Check back here to see my rating of the movie, which hits theaters tomorrow!

*Update I am extremely baffled. Why can I not find local showtimes for the movie?! Apparently it is playing in "select" theaters...the closest being 245 miles away. 😐

Title: If Beale Street Could Talk
Author: James Baldwin
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: KiKi Layne (Tish); Stephan James (Fonny)
Published: 1974
Pages: 128
Movie Time: 1 Hour, 59 Min
Edition: eBook
Book Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
Movie Rating: TBD

 

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