2019 Oscars Challenge: [8] “If Beale Street Could Talk” – Three Nominations

January 31, 2019 / Leave a Comment

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“IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK”
Regina King, Nicholas Brittel, & Barry Jenkins

Director: Barry Jenkins
Producers: Megan Ellison, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski, Sara Murphy, and Barry Jenkins
Writer: Barry Jenkins
Based On: “If Beale Street Could Talk” by James Baldwin
Cinematography: James Laxton
Editor: Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders
Composer: Nicholas Britell
Distributors: Annapurna Pictures
Release Date: December 14, 2018
Run-time: 117 minutes

REGINA KING

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CHARACTER SYNOPSIS: Regina King portrays Sharon Rivers, a steadfast matriarch devoted to her family and determined to support her pregnant daughter, whose fiancé has been wrongfully imprisoned.

Regina King was the Critics Award season darling, winning the lion share of the supporting awards. That does not always translate to winning at the Oscars, but her competition makes it seem like she might be a lock. The Academy could end up really pulling for “The Favourite” to win big throughout the night and award Rachel Weisz, would is probably King’s biggest competition in the category. If not her, Marina De Tavira could end up getting some “sympathy” votes for never having been nominated before and being highlighted in a very popular film from the year. However, my money’s on King.

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

**REGINA KING**
YEAR	FILM	AWARD	CATEGORY
NONE

NICHOLAS BRITELL

With Justin Hurwitz shut out with his Original Score from “First Man,” Nicholas Britell seems like the next logical choice, providing a sweeping, romantic score from Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Don’t count out the popularity of films like “Black Panther” or if popularity swings in the direction of “BlacKkKlansman.” And speaking of popularity, Alexandre Desplat should never be counted out. However, the odds are leaning in the direction of “Beale Street.”

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

**NICHOLAS BRITELL**
YEAR	FILM	AWARD	CATEGORY
2016 (89th)	“Moonlight”	Nominated	Best Original Score

BARRY JENKINS

FILM SYNOPSIS: In early 1970s Harlem, young couple Tish and Fonny are in love but their romance is interrupted when Fonny is unjustly accused of sexual assault. Tish, who is pregnant, remains unwavering in her devotion to Fonny and is supported by her family in her efforts to secure his freedom.

There’s a strong chance Barry Jenkins could swoop in and take the Best Adapted Screenplay. My bets are placed on Spike Lee and “BlacKkKlansman,” but the writing of “Beale Street” is strong enough that it could be the Academy’s choice. However, Jenkins won for his writing of “Moonlight” already, so his win is not pressing, while Spike Lee has never one and his screenplay is the stronger of the two. Don’t count out “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” which was a fairly popular film this year. And any film with a Best Picture nomination (which is also “BlacKkKlansman”) like “A Star Is Born” has a decent shot as well.