At 7:30pm ET we’ll convene to watch & chat about If Beale Street Could Talk! Join us for an evening of commentary on the swooning romance and loving family persevering against the ghastly miscarriage of justice in this overlooked gem that we hope will take everyone’s hearts by storm.
If you prefer to hang out with us on Twitter, the hashtag to follow is #DamesStreet, and the film is available to stream on Hulu, or via a rental on your platform of choice, or on DVD.
One of the beautiful, heartbreaking things about this movie is how it shows the limits of individual white goodness in the face of systemic prejudice. Tish and Fonny absolutely need people like Levy, Fonny's lawyer, that shopkeeper. They could not survive without their kindness. But with only their kindness, it's still a marginal existence. They are still in danger all the time.
I also feel like it's no coincidence that Fonny's lawyer looks and is styled so much like Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch. It makes for a fascinating commentary on the true limits of what One Good White Man can do in the face of systemic racism.
That Brian Tyree Henry was not nominated for this performance honestly it's proof that too few Academy voters saw this movie, because his performance is just remarkable.
I can't recall if you've watched Atlanta, but if not, his extraordinary in that role, too. Everyone in it is great and I know LaKeith Stanfield has gotten a lot of very deserved attention for his work, but I need everyone to get on board the BTH train!!
That they can find so much humor and love in this scene. The difference in Fonny when he can bring his blue with him versus Fonny when all he has is grey.
I feel like there is also significance in the fact that Fonny's mother's outfit is so close in color and fabric to what Tish is wearing in their first date scene, but so completely different in mood and style.
between this movie, Sex Education Season 2, and The End of the F**king World Season 2, I am completely wrapped up in this warm and amazing color palette
I also love the complexity that is granted to Fonny's father. He's much more sympathetic than Fonny's mother, but you can also tell that he ain't shit as a husband.
THE LIGHTING IN THIS SCENE IS JUST INCREDIBLE. To be able to capture so much detail in Brian Tyree Henry's face while also keeping him in shadow. Just stunning.
I really want a Tom and Lorenzo-style breakdown of the color story in this movie. I feel like there is significance in the fact that here, Tish is in bright green, while Fonny is still in the blue and yellow of their earlier scene.
I feel like the green is linked to Tish's pregnancy-- you'll see it predominate in the scene following, when she tells her family and his about the baby.
I love all the different, yet equally effective, modes of caregiving everyone in Tish's family and in her orbit with Fonny provide for each other
One of the beautiful, heartbreaking things about this movie is how it shows the limits of individual white goodness in the face of systemic prejudice. Tish and Fonny absolutely need people like Levy, Fonny's lawyer, that shopkeeper. They could not survive without their kindness. But with only their kindness, it's still a marginal existence. They are still in danger all the time.
I also feel like it's no coincidence that Fonny's lawyer looks and is styled so much like Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch. It makes for a fascinating commentary on the true limits of what One Good White Man can do in the face of systemic racism.
I LOVE when Tish corrects him! The way she fights to make the lawyer see him as a human, Fonny, not a name on a charge sheet.
Hadn’t made the Atticus Finch connection before- I agree!
The line-- "on one should ever have to speak to someone they love through glass"-- devastating
Thank God at least I don't have to watch Regina King's performance and mourn its neglect. At least the Academy got one thing right.
That Brian Tyree Henry was not nominated for this performance honestly it's proof that too few Academy voters saw this movie, because his performance is just remarkable.
I can't recall if you've watched Atlanta, but if not, his extraordinary in that role, too. Everyone in it is great and I know LaKeith Stanfield has gotten a lot of very deserved attention for his work, but I need everyone to get on board the BTH train!!
That they can find so much humor and love in this scene. The difference in Fonny when he can bring his blue with him versus Fonny when all he has is grey.
I feel like there is also significance in the fact that Fonny's mother's outfit is so close in color and fabric to what Tish is wearing in their first date scene, but so completely different in mood and style.
between this movie, Sex Education Season 2, and The End of the F**king World Season 2, I am completely wrapped up in this warm and amazing color palette
Tish's sister is one of my very favorite parts of this movie.
man honestly her whole family
The precious child they cast to play young Fonny-- such a fucking attack
This is one of my favorite scenes and, per his interview on this podcast, it was largely made-up by Barry Jenkins: https://www.wgaeast.org/onwriting/barry-jenkins-if-beale-street-could-talk/
I also love the complexity that is granted to Fonny's father. He's much more sympathetic than Fonny's mother, but you can also tell that he ain't shit as a husband.
The color composition in these early scenes is almost too beautiful to look at.
I hope you loved the movie the way we do.
This is so so beautifully made; it should have won ALL the awards.
it honestly makes me furious. a deathless grudge.
The score does SUCH good work here- fluttering strings as Tish hesitates a moment, then a clearer melody as she makes up her mind, UGH. I love it!
THE SCORE!!!!!
ERNESTINE!!!!!!
The steel in Tish’s voice during the voiceover!!! She’s so direct- what a contrast from the lover’s talk on the subway.
I love that Fonny asked if Tish had told her “folks” and his “daddy” and then the movie shows us exactly why.
What an astute observation!
The opening scenes remind me so much of watching a ballet, or a really good ice dancing pair. Everything about them is so synchronized!!
Is that Dave Franco in the yarmulke?! (Sorry, so behind)
It is indeed!!
I love how this film just lingers and let's us watch real and deep and slow performances.
YES! What a great observation about the pacing and skill in direction
I love her monologues
The way she holds her head when she tells his family
You can practically see her remember her sister’s words!
“The only one that can do it” is killing me knowing how far she goes for her own child later in the movie
Holy shit. I knew literally nothing about this so I'm. My jaw dropped.
I KNOW!!!!
"Who cares how it comes here?" (Paraphrasing) was just. So important.
Thank you guys so much for watching with us!
THE LIGHTING IN THIS SCENE IS JUST INCREDIBLE. To be able to capture so much detail in Brian Tyree Henry's face while also keeping him in shadow. Just stunning.
I'm just putting this episode of Thirst Aid Kit about the beauty of Stephan James here for, you know, reasons. https://slate.com/podcasts/thirst-aid-kit/2019/10/stephan-james-bobby-cannavale-and-winston-duke-steal-scenes-and-hearts
I really want a Tom and Lorenzo-style breakdown of the color story in this movie. I feel like there is significance in the fact that here, Tish is in bright green, while Fonny is still in the blue and yellow of their earlier scene.
I feel like the green is linked to Tish's pregnancy-- you'll see it predominate in the scene following, when she tells her family and his about the baby.
"Unbow your head." Amazing line and delivery.
Her family is just too beautiful. I love them.
I've already teared up.
same
I wanted a happy ending so desperately. But this was perfect. I am dehydrated from crying.
Now the music fades to rain again, but Tish is feeling vulnerable about loneliness/the baby instead
I'm behind, but is her sister Dawn from "Mad Men"?!
SHE IS!! I can't believe I didn't recognize her!
TIENE DIEGO!?!?
one of the most attractive men in cinema
regina!!!
Yay! Haven't seen this movie yet! thank you both for organizing!
We are super happy you're joining us!!
So excited! (Also first time using the substrack thread, so I hope this is how it works!)
Absolutely correct, great work!