A powerful and haunting story — directed by Barry Jenkins, and based on a book by James Baldwin — that slowly builds its on its themes of racism and love, circa 1970s Harlem, where to be black is to suffer (and expect to suffer). The love of one young couple (well-acted by KiKi Layne and Stephan James) remains strong even when the man is falsely accused of rape and sent to jail. It’s at that point when we’re introduced to their families, interesting characters all (with an impressive performance by Regina King). Bleak yes, but uplifting in its own way. Impressive cinematography as well.
