If Beale Street Could Talk - 3 nominations

Actress in a Supporting Role - Regina King
Original Score - Nicholas Britell
Adapted Screenplay - Written for the screen by Barry Jenkins

If Beale Street Could Talk follows young lovers Tish and Fonny, two young people growing up in the 60's.  When she announces to her family that she is pregnant, they take a moment to embrace the idea but they get behind her.  Fonny's family is not so receptive and Tish's fierce protective mama, Sharon "tiger moms" the heck out of the situation.  

Meanwhile, Fonny has been falsely accused of rape and is in prison for the act he clearly didn't commit.   Sharon takes it upon herself to track down Fonny's accuser by flying to her hometown and tries to get her to return to the United States to admit that she has accused an innocent man.  The film is captured back and forth from current day to flashback.

Beale Street is a film that should work.  The actors are mostly strong, the story could be a beautiful telling of blossoming love juxtaposed against the devastation of racist America.  One could be moved, righteously angry, and inspired all at once.  But Beale street just misses the mark.  It's too slow, it falls in love with mediocre scenes and drags them out longer than necessary, and the attempt at stylized is only very moderately successful.  I expected Beale Street to be both one of my favorite films of the year and a strong contender for the BIG prize.  No such luck on either count.

Regina King is by far the best thing about the film and I think she has an higher than average shot at winning.  But beyond her performance and the musical score, there is no reason to see this film.