Is “If Beale Street Could Talk” on Netflix? Is It Based on a True Story?

By Muskan Last updated Mar 2, 2023

Welcome to the world of Netflix’s acclaimed drama “If Beale Street Could Talk,” which portrays a stirring tale of injustice and love. The story of Tish and Fonny, two teenage lovers in 1970s Harlem, is followed in this movie, which is based on the James Baldwin novel.

When Fonny is wrongfully convicted of a crime, his relationship with Tish is put to the test. Their love for one another continues to be a source of hope and courage as they struggle for justice and freedom.

If Beale Street Could Talk is a must-watch for everyone who enjoys thought-provoking films that address significant societal issues due to its breathtaking photography, compelling acting, and heartbreaking message. If you want to know if this movie is currently on Netflix and how to view it, keep reading.

Take a Look at This Handy “If Beale Street Could Talk” Fact Sheet

Title	If Beale Street Could Talk
Directed by	Barry Jenkins
Screenplay by	Barry Jenkins
Edited by	Joi McMillon Nat Sanders
Music by	Nicholas Britell
Cinematography	James Laxton
Language	English
Countries	United States

Is “If Beale Street Could Talk” on Netflix?

Fantastic news for film buffs! You can watch the critically acclaimed drama “If Beale Street Could Talk” from the convenience of your home thanks to Netflix.

The film, which was directed by Barry Jenkins, depicts the narrative of Tish and Fonny, two young lovers whose relationship is put to the test by bigotry and injustice in America in the 1970s.

If Beale Street Could Talk is a must-see for everyone who enjoys thought-provoking films that explore significant social issues due to their breathtaking imagery, potent performances, and heartbreaking message.

So grab some popcorn, get yourself comfortable, and be ready to be impacted by this remarkable movie. If Beale Street Could Talk is available on Netflix right now, so don’t miss your chance to watch it and be moved by its unadulterated beauty and honest emotion.

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Is It Based on a True Story?

Can You Ever Forgive Me? and BlacKkKlansman, two candidates for the Oscar Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, are based on books and real-life events.

If Beale Street Could Talk, a book by James Baldwin may have been inspired by the true incident of one of the author’s friends, William “Tony” Maynard, Jr., who spent more than six years in prison after being wrongly convicted of killing a decorated white Marine.

Lewis M. Steel, the attorney who represented Maynard, wrote in an email that Baldwin was inspired by his true story and that the book was a fictitious version of a murder case he handled. The question of whether the story is based on Maynard is more complicated than simply looking for similarities, and the resolution speaks to much more than the experiences of one individual.

In their early years, Maynard and Baldwin were close friends in Harlem. As an aspiring actor, Maynard occasionally served as Baldwin’s bodyguard, secretary, and chauffeur. He was detained in 1967 on suspicion of killing white Marine Sergeant Michael Kroll, age 21, who had received the Purple Heart and five battle stars.

Maynard, who was given a 10-to-20-year prison term, met with a group of jazz musicians touring Germany while he was incarcerated. In 1970, he was found not guilty of first-degree manslaughter, and for the ensuing few years, he was in and out of solitary confinement.

He survived the infamous revolt of 1971. In 1974, Maynard’s case was dropped because the prosecution withheld evidence regarding the psychiatric background of a key witness.

Because of Baldwin’s involvement, the case received significant local media interest. Baldwin’s friend and personal assistant, David Leeming, said that the book “fictionalized” Baldwin’s physical and figurative concerns about American jails.

He also noted that Maynard’s sister Valerie, who loaned two of her sculptures for the Beale Street movie, was a “real-life” counterpart to a character in the book. But, a spokesperson did advise the narrator to dig up Moore’s account. The Baldwin estate declined to comment on this story.

Trailer For “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Frequently Asked Questions

What Message Does “If Beale Street Could Talk” Convey?

James Baldwin highlights the resiliency of love in his book If Beale Street Could Talk, a book about the harshness and injustice that black people experience in America. Despite the depressing realities of her lover’s unfair imprisonment, Tish manages to hold onto optimism because of her loving family.

What Occurs With Fonny?

Even though Fonny appears to have been on the opposite side of the city when the assault occurred and the Puerto Rican woman only stated that a black man committed the rape, Bell, a prejudiced white police officer who has long wanted to arrest Fonny, nevertheless puts him in jail.