Parents' Guide to

If Beale Street Could Talk

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Mature, beautifully acted drama from "Moonlight" director.

Movie R 2018 119 minutes
If Beale Street Could Talk Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 15+

Based on 6 parent reviews

DarylTheStudent
DarylTheStudent Adult
May 23, 2019
age 14+

If Beale Street Could Talk

This is another well made film from the same director of Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, thanks to the excellent acting and story. Contentwise, there is one use of the c-word, a few uses of the f-word, and two moderate sex scenes with some thrusting, as well as some scenes of breast nudity.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
BestPicture1996
BestPicture1996 Adult
January 21, 2019
age 17+

Touching love story is fatally hurt by pacing

Barry Jenkins' ambitious follow-up to "Moonlight" features another (doomed?) love story, this time with convict Fonny trying to prove his innocence with the help of his partner Tish. A dive into love, justice and race relations in the black NYC scene, Jenkins' writing is only assisted by another show of craftsmanship by James Laxton's cinematography and Nicholas Britell's gorgeous score. Told scatter-shot to fill in some holes on the story, and for a more dynamic watch, Oscar nominees Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders flounder with the editing scissors. On a second watch, I found "Moonlight" to be one of the better edited films of the 21st century: not an ounce of fat can be found in that movie's lean 111 minutes that isn't integral to its story. The same can't be said for "Beale St." Fonny and Tish are often shot just looking at each other, when it is very much established in the opening sequence how in love they are. The exception to this is Fonny and Daniel's conversation, where Brian Tyree Henry steals the show as a recently released, PTSD-stricken parolee. I wanted to love this movie so much after appreciating "Moonlight," but "Beale St." feels bloated by about 25 minutes, which could've either been filled with more compelling story or deleted entirely.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK is writer-director Barry Jenkins' adaptation of James Baldwin's same-named 1974 novel about young lovers forced to overcome unexpected -- yet universal -- struggles in 1970s Harlem. Nineteen-year-old Tish Rivers (KiKi Layne) and 22-year-old Alonzo "Fonny" Hunt (Stephan James), who grew up together, are completely in love and planning to get married. But their relationship takes a heartbreaking turn when Fonny is falsely accused of rape by a woman who's fled back to her native Puerto Rico. After Fonny is jailed to await trial, Tish discovers she's pregnant. While her parents (Regina King, Colman Domingo) and older sister (Teyonah Parris) -- along with Fonny's father (Michael Beach) -- are supportive, Fonny's devout mother (Aunjanue Ellis) and sisters (Ebony Obsidian, Domnique Thorne) are mortified. The film shifts back and forth in time to tell the highs and lows of Tish and Fonny's love story against the backdrop of institutional racism, injustice, and incarceration.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (1):

This beautifully acted, lovingly adapted drama about love, family, and (in)justice in America deserves a wide audience. King is especially wonderful as Tish's patient, wise mother, Sharon, who not only embraces and guides her daughter through an unexpected pregnancy but also travels all the way to Puerto Rico to track down the woman who falsely accused Fonny. But it's not just King who's outstanding -- all the performances in If Beale Street Could Talk are nuanced, from Layne's and James' central young couple to much smaller but evocative roles, like Ellis as the angry, judgmental, and religious Mrs. Hunt, Parris as Tish's take-charge sister, and the two different but bonding grandfathers-to-be, played by Domingo and Beach. The gifted cast is even graced by tiny but powerful performances from Dave Franco, Diego Luna, and Brian Tyree Henry as, respectively, a likable landlord and two of Fonny's friends.

Jenkins tells Tish and Fonny's story with frequent flashbacks, sharing everything from their earliest memories to all of their important firsts. Composer Nicholas Britell's evocative, jazzy score perfectly complements the drama and romance. The movie, like the novel, doesn't shy away from uncomfortable conversations and themes -- the scene in which Tish reveals her pregnancy to Fonny's family and one later, when it's clear that the incarcerated Fonny is losing help, are particularly gut-wrenching. But through it all, Fonny and Tish remain steadfastly surrounded by their love and the love of her family. Despite everything they must overcome, Fonny and Tish's love is real and enduring -- and a beautiful thing to behold.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages in If Beale Street Could Talk. What does the movie have to say about justice, love, and the American dream? How have things changed since the time Baldwin wrote the novel? How haven't they?

  • How are love and sex discussed and depicted? Is sex loving and consensual? What values are imparted? How do Mrs. Rivers' and Mrs. Hunt's reactions to the pregnancy and baby differ? Which grandmother do you agree with, and why?

  • Those familiar with Baldwin's book: What are some changes between the novel and the movie? Which ones did you like? Was there anything you felt was missing?

  • What do you think of the line "I hope that nobody has ever had to look at anybody they love through glass"? What does it mean? What are Baldwin and the filmmakers trying to say about America's justice system?

  • Who do you consider a role model in the movie? What character strengths do they display?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate