My longing for an evening wondering around Brooklyn, only to find myself seated in a theater with the saltiest popcorn, feels insurmountable these days. It is saved mostly for days that feel too hot to be out and too hot to be in. The kind of day where the theater’s odd chill and anonymity in the middle of a New York City day, seems like the stuff dreams were made of. And maybe those days were a dream?
I have been able to satisfy that longing with an apetite for beautiful films that can be devoured late at night on my sofa. It isn’t the movie theater. But my body recognizes the similarity when sitting in the dark with the windows open and bag of Pop Chips on my lap. The films alone bring such a unique satisfaction to my soul. A replenishment of sorts, if you will.
Lately, I’ve been craving If Beale Street Could Talk. It was one of those films and one of those city nights for me, you know? I crave it not only because the timing of our world in juxtaposition to it. It is also the sweetness of the colors, the beauty of the faces, and the intimate tones. It is the fact that I could see the texture of eyebrows so clearly, and felt as if I could touch the corners of a beard through the screen. It’s stunning depiction of James Baldwin’s powerful book, is crave-worthy. And for now, time spent on that corner of my couch with it will do.
What beautiful films have you watched (or rewatched) lately?
I love watching films like this, with the clarity and authenticity. I wish I could share a movie that I’ve watched lately. By the time I get my 3 and 6 year old to bed, I have a hard time making enough time for myself to watch a movie. I get distracted with light chores, zoning out on Instagram, and reading the news. That’s probably what I miss most about watching a movie in a theater. It gave me separation from home life so I could enter another world and experience a true escape!
Hi Sarah,
I hear you! I’ve had to really truly carve it out. Like on Sat. night (especially if I haven’t had to handle the better part of routine), to get to a movie. I have also started to let my phone die so that I don’t zone out on Insta… it’s addictive. And try and save the news for during the week. It’s so wild how much commitment and concentration these things take these days.
x
The Last Black Man in San Francisco is one of my favorite films for similar reasons!
Hi Brianna,
I loved that film too! When I was craving something similar earlier this year (to Beale Street) a friend recomended The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Thank y ou for commenting!
22 weeks pregnant and just bawled my way through the trailer on youtube- thank you pregnancy hormones! It looks like such a beautiful film.
o h Georgia! It IS one of those films! Also, #hormones.
xo
Your post inspired me and I watched If Beale Street Could Talk last night on the couch with the window open a cool breeze blowing through. It was beautiful, heartbreaking and the intimacy and the pacing was just stunning. Thank you!