Review of If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) by Jeffrey L — 13 Jan 2019
Why I hated this film. Let me start by saying I absolutely love "The Green Book", easily a "Best Film" contender for the upcoming Oscars. Beale Street beats you up on black oppression.
It had to be set in the past because modern genetic detective work would not make it believable today. There are colorful characters for sure and there are definitely some great scenes. I look forward to seeing these great actors in more entertaining films in the future.
But, at the end of the day this film was just boring! I see three films a week as a profession script writer, even saw "Teen Titans Go" with my nephews. I have not once checked the time in the last year or more.
I checked the time three times during this film! Lastly, Barry Jenkins III could have saved this film if only there was an emotional pay-off at the end. There wasn't! It was just boring and depressing.
Just 2+ hours, 3 if you count the trailers and time to get there etc. I don't even recommend this for home viewing. Of course, this will put it top of the list for the Oscars as yet another self-flagellation in response to the long American history of black abuse.
If you are too happy and need to depress yourself without learning almost anything a relatively educated person already knows, this is a great film for you to see!
This review of If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) was written by Jeffrey L on 13 Jan 2019.
If Beale Street Could Talk has generally received positive reviews.
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