I have a litany of novels that I intend to option for films but the first is from my man, James Baldwin, titled If Beale Street Could Talk. For a great summary and review check out Blues Lament, by Robert Detweiler. It doesn't matter your weight, age, sex or religion, I just need you to have some familiarity with the story in order to leave comments. If you are not familiar, I recommend picking up a copy today; it is a very quick read and a great story.
Talk about big moves, James B. was a freedom fighter, world traveler and hell of a writer. James overcame a lot. He was gay way before it was as readily accepted, came from a poor, single parent household and grew up during one of the most racially embattled times in US history. Perhaps that is why he was such a soldier for the cause. But, what I feel is most laudable about Baldwin is his challenge to, Richard Wright, the Tyler Perry of Baldwin's day.
Wright's famous book with lead protagonist Bigger, rhymes with *igger, was elevated by critics as a literary masterpiece. I recall reading Wright's book in the 5th grade thinking 'What the..."
Fast forward to today and Follywood has done enough misrepresenting stories for which they have no intrinsic passion, nor perspective. I want to make this movie. I feel that not only is the African-American market ready for a story of substance and prose, but the world is ready to know. This will be a big picture! The Black Fellini with style, grace and his famed composition for portraits will make this a number one box office movie! Street contains themes of isolation, psychological terrorism aka (racism), religiosity, working class economics, features a love to remember and it has a blazing hot love scene too!
Street’s themes are all very contemporary for today's audience. And even tho’ the original author was gay, there is no role of a large black man, dressed as large black woman. The subject matter is too beautiful and intellectual for buffoonery. Imagine that!
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