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Tish exits the scene to prepare dinner, and one of the best scenes ofIf Beale Street Could Talkbegins.
Its a powerful, deeply felt scene, scored by Miles Daviss Blue in Green.
In film-speak, its like theyre spending an entire day together, directorBarry Jenkinstold me about the scene.
Daniel and Fonny start the scene talking about everything but Daniels time in prison.
Later, it becomes the only thing they can talk about and theyre both shuddering.
We keep talking and it becomes Oh, Im goodand… Jenkins said.
Its still a part of him.
Its in his body; its in his DNA.
I started to realize that the power in the scene was in the energy between Stephan and Bryan.
Cutting between the shots didnt feel authentic to the moment.
The trauma that Brian has experienced as the character Daniel, Fonny can feel that.
Thats why hes invited him into his home.
Thats why hes treating himself to open himself, to share.
Instead of cutting between that energy, were passing it back and forth.
The men move from one subject to the next, getting more and more intimate with every sentence.
Its tender filmmaking, to a devastating end.
Thats something that we dont really get to see too often.
Watching this scene, I was reminded of one of my favorite moments in the third act ofMoonlight.
Kevin says he has a son now, and 18 months left on his probation.
Black sighs and shakes his head, mumbling a curse.
Kevin gives him a satisfied smile: Yeah, but its alife, he says.
I aint never had that before.
I know some hustles, and you know some hustles …
These are our children.
Weve got to set them free, Domingo, as Joseph, says.
Theres so much depth of love there.
Thats not even my blood relative, Domingo told Vulture.
Were used to seeing antagonistic relationships between black men.
[Fonny] is not even my blood relative.
But I love him because thats my best friends son.
Ill take over for you and Ill empower you to do that.
