Every Friday, I read the movie reviews in The Washington Post.The articles usually help me find great films and steer away from bad ones, with one notable exception: Adam Sandler’s Punch Drunk Love. They liked it. I loathed it and loath is too nice a word for how I felt.

If Beale Street Could Talkreceived a glowing review from the Post and a 95% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Barry Jenkins wrote and directed this adaptation of the 1974 James Baldwin novel. He also directed the visually gorgeous movie, Moonlight,so I knew I wanted to see it on a big screen. So we braved the winter cold and headed to a theater.

Set in Harlem in the 1970’s, the film is a love story about the relationship between 19 year-old Tish and 22 year-old Fonnie, who have known each other since childhood. The onscreen chemistry between the two actors is mesmerizing. Soon after they become engaged, Fonnie is falsely accused of a crime and is sent to jail. Tish, Tish’s family and Fonnie’s father, stand by him, struggling to find a way to exonerate.

This is an unusual love story because it’s not just about the strong love between this couple, but it is also about the loyal, vibrant, sacrificial love extended to Fonnie and Tish by their family members. I was especially touched by the performance of Regina King who plays Tish’s mother and by Colman Domingo, who plays Tish’s father.

The family pools resources, giving everything they have to the effort. Even though the attorney they hire tries his best, they find themselves up against a racially biased system.

I’m glad we saw this movie in a theater. The images and colors were beautiful. The acting is superb. The tone is somber and hopeful at the same time. I felt 100% engaged with these characters.

The pacing was excruciatingly slow for me, but that’s just me. The other part of the film I wasn’t crazy about was the depiction of Fonnie’s mother and sisters. I can believe that people like this exist, but the portrayal seemed cartoonish. Consequently, I don’t think the scene packed the punch it could have had.

I knew what the end would be. Yet, I kept hoping in another direction. My hope was not deferred, in that, the ending, inevitable in some ways, also served as a redemptive tribute to the endurance and strength of the love between Tish and Fonnie and the love that surrounded them from their family members.