Review: If Beale St Could Talk - Solid follow up from acclaimed director Barry Jenkins

I really do love February's at Tralee Omniplex. Each week sees yet another award nominated feature hit the big screen, with the quality of a very high standard before we head for the big budget blockbusters and the influx of superheroes that come with the long stretch in the evenings!
This weeks film of choice If Beale St Could Talk more than holds it's own within the lofty company shown at the Omniplex over the last number of weeks.
After an incredibly successful 2017 due to the impact of the inspiring feature Moonlight (which has unfortunately since been more famous for the Oscar mix up then the quality of the film itself), Barry Jenkins next move was always one that was going to be of interest to the avid movie goer.
Having started work on adapting James Baldwin's 1974 novel If Beale Street Could Talk whilst he was finishing Moonlight, there was a palpable sense of anticipation at what was sure to be a fitting tribute to this great book, with the right director at the helm.
Barry Jenkins does not disappoint as a lot of the cinematic tricks and features used by this gifted film maker in his award winning feature are again on show in this critically acclaimed film.
Set in early 1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk sees daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recall the love, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Honouring the source material explicitly, the director again showcases his strengths as a visual and emotion evoking film maker choosing to let facial expressions, breathtaking score and atmospheric visuals do the talking throughout and on embracing these aspects of Jenkins film making, it leaves the viewer with the impression that his Oscar winning success of two years ago was not a once off, but merely a vision of better things to come.
If Beale Street Could Talk may not be to everyone's tastes however, as it's slow paced and poignant style may frustrate some audience members and it is definitely not a feature that will win universal approval ratings.
It is however, for those who chose to accept it's uniqueness, a film of dignity and beauty from a director who is simply going from strength to strength.
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Review - Boy Erased - Compelling drama with a strong message that resonates long after the final credits roll

After  his successful directorial debut, with the 2015 feature The Gift, Joel Edgerton takes his place once again behind the camera for the powerful and emotionally charged drama Boy Erased, currently on show at Tralee Omniplex.
Based on Gerard Conley's 2016 memoir of the same name, Boy Erased tells the story of Jared (played by Lucas Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (played by Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) at age 19. Rather than being shunned by family and friends, Jared attends a conversion therapy program. While there, Jared comes into conflict with its devout leader and begins his fateful journey to finding his own voice and accepting his true self.
If the plot of Boy Erased may seem a bit familiar, it's because it's subject matter and core themes were seen in last years The Miseducation of Cameron Post , a film directed by  Desiree Akhavan and starred Chloë Grace Moretz which may not have had the same commercial exposure as this feature but did win the Grand Jury Prize for Drama at last years Sundance Festival.
Both films cover in depth the shocking reality and practice of a gay conversion therapy centres which still incredibly operate today.
Boy Erased highlights the obvious shortcoming of these establishments in a strong and clear manner  yet thanks to the extraordinary performances of Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as Jared's well meaning but deluded  parents who are unable to support their son when he needs them most, this is a skillfully made film layered with subtlety and sensitivity.
Along with the increasingly brilliant Lucas Hedges (who follows up last years stellar performances in Lady Bird and Manchester by the Sea with an equally powerful turn here) both Kidman and Crowe steer this harrowing drama from cliche at every opportunity and add a layer of complexity and empathy to their characters despite their quite obvious shortcomings.
Edgerton himself, excels in his role as charismatic yet frightful leader Victor Sykes, and his battle of wills with Jared is at the centre of this excellent film.
Viewers should be warned, that this harrowing yet powerful drama is at times an uncomfortable and heartbreaking watch. It is however, a powerful and important piece of cinema that contains a strong and vital message delivered emphatically thanks to a strong cast and a talented director.
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Review: Green Book - Charming sentimental tale filled with excellent performances

Those familiar with the works of Peter Farrelly will know of his genius in the field of cinematic comedy with the likes of Dumb and Dumber and There's Something about Mary still celebrated and viewed as the last period of film with any consistent (and more importantly - funny!) comedic elements.
This weeks movie review sees Farrelly not unlike last weeks director Adam McKay change genre with Green Book, a heartfelt true story that has been lauded by critics and is currently featuring heavily in award nominations.
Green Book tells the true story of  Tony Lip (played by Viggo Mortensen),  a bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx, who is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. Confronted with racism, constant danger, as well as unexpected humanity and humour, they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of negativity surrounding this movie, with the accuracy of events questioned, the over sentimentality attached and also implausible and insensitive manner in which the subject matter is handled throughout.
Green Book is also however, a charming road trip movie with two outstanding lead performances with more than a throwback to the great travel tales of the 80's such as Rain Man, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Driving Miss Daisy evident.
A feel good bromance of epic proportions, this Oscar nominated film is touching, charming and at times very funny and a movie that will warm the hearts of all that take there seats at Tralee Omniplex to enjoy it!
Oscar nominations for both leads are well deserved and despite the measured and subtle performance of the talented Mahershala Ali, it is Viggo Mortensen that steals the show as the loud mouthed Tony Lip in a role that seems like he was born to play.
The chemistry between the two actors is a chief reason why this film soars higher than it potentially should and Farrelly's humane and comic touch will ensure that every cinema goer will walk out of Tralee Omniplex at the end of Green Book with a silly smile and a warm glow and despite all the negativity surrounding the film - isn't that what anyone wants from a trip to the movies?
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Review: McKay pulls no punches in sharp satirical Cheney biopic!

Director Adam McKay rested his comedic chops in 2015, and changed artistic direction with his critically acclaimed feature The Big Short which, saw the director explain the financial crash of 2008 in his own unique way to great effect.
In this week's Tralee Omniplex featured film, Vice, McKay again embraces that unique style that worked so well in The Big Short, to tell the tale of former vice president, Dick Cheney in a film that has been featuring strongly in award nominations over recent weeks.
Vice explores the epic story about how a political Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today.
A lot has been made of Christian Bale's physical transformation for this film, with the actor gaining 40lbs to take the title role of Dick Cheney in this production. What is also evident,however is the strength and understated brilliance of his portrayal of the former VP.
Golden Globes and BAFTA nominations for Bale are all well deserved in a role that sees the Welsh man also instilled as the bookies favourite for Best Actor Award in this months Academy Awards.
Credit too must go to Amy Adams (also Oscar nominated) in her role as Cheney's driving force,wife Lynn , Steve Carrell as Donald Rumsfeld, and Sam Rockwell who plays George W. Bush to perfection.
The film itself is an entertaining yet at times chaotic look at the life of this infamous political figure.
As in The Big Short, some of McKays wacky plot devices work quite well and others simply don't and his opinions on the life, times and methods of the former VP are about as subtle as a lorry load of bricks and this may seem tiresome to some audience members.
On the other hand, it does make for entertaining cinema and for all the criticism that may be levelled at this film, boredom can not be one of them!
McKay's uniqueness for the art of storytelling can also be refreshing, especially when supported by some terrific actors on top form.
Even though McKay could have toned down the volume a little bit, nonetheless, Vice is another solid and commendable effort on his part, and one that is a gentle reminder for those of us who lament the days of pre-Donald, previous US administrations and their puppet masters weren't much to write home about either!
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