So you've watched Beyonce's visual album Lemonade and you’ve lived to tell the tale. If you’re not certain what to do next, we have some suggestions. How about a movie, or thirteen?
We can only imagine how many sources of inspiration Beyonce had for her album, both musical and visual. Lemonade is reminiscent of several well known works worth revisiting now that the album and its visual counterpart have released.
If you want to experience more of the themes and aesthetics found in Lemonade, check out this list of films.
Eve's Bayou
The first thing we thought while watching Lemonade was Eve's Bayou. The 1997 film is a quintessential infidelity tale starring Samuel L. Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan, Jurnee Smollett and Meagan Good. In addition to cheating husbands, Eve’s Bayou also includes Creole and Southern themes, much like Lemonade.
Obsessed
Beyonce does not condone cheating in real life nor in fiction. The 2009 film stars Beyonce, Idris Elba and Ali Larter in an almost love triangle. While there is no actual cheating in the movie, we ironically get to see what happens when "Becky with the good hair" threatens Beyonce’s marriage and family.
Waiting To Exhale
Many pundits have called Lemonade Beyonce’s Waiting To Exhale moment. This 1995 film features Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon dealing with various relationship issues. In particular, Bassett’s character, Bernadine Harris, deals with the aftermath of being left by her husband for "Becky with the good hair." The scene with Bernadine collecting her husband’s things to light on fire while lamenting about how she built him from nothing, is as iconic as Beyonce’s performance in “Hold Up” with her bat Hot Sauce.
For Colored Girls
In between scenes of Lemonade are the words of Somali-British poet Warsan Shire , which remind us of the 2010 film For Colored Girls, based on the for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange. Intertwined within the movie’s dramatic scenes are poetic monologues, performed in a similar fashion to the original play.
Soul Food
Lemonade is said to be inspired by both Beyonce’s grandmother Agnéz Deréon and Jay-Z’s grandmother, Hattie White. The 1997 film Soul Food starting Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach and Mekhi Phifer features a family held together by an elderly matriarch and the Sunday dinners she hosts at her home. During Lemonade, Beyonce can be heard reciting the recipe for her grandmother’s lemonade recipe.
Why Did I Get Married?
Early songs on the album allude to infidelity within Beyonce’s marriage, in particular in the song “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” during which Beyonce sings, “If you try this shit again, you’re gon’ lose your wife , ” and the song “Sorry , ” during which Beyonce sings, “Today I regret the night I put that ring on . ”
The 2007 film, Why Did I Get Married stars Tyler Perry Janet Jackson, Jill Scott and Malik Yoba follows several couples who take a yearly retreat to reevaluate the states of their marriages.
Daddy’s Little Girls
Country isn’t a typical genre, but the singer channels her Texas roots in “Daddy Lessons . ” The song reminds us of the 2007 film Daddy’s Little Girls, which stars Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba. The film follows a professional woman navigating a relationship with a single father of three daughters.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Beyonce channel reggae beats and imagery in “Hold Up,” which reminds us of the 1998 film How Stella Got Her Groove Back. The film stars Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs and Whoopi Goldberg and follows a woman who finds love during a vacation to Jamaica.
What’s Love Got To Do With It
When it comes to musical legends who have dealt with tumultuous relationships, Tina Turner likely still takes the cake. The 1993 film What’s Love Got To Do With It, loosely depicts Turner’s abusive relationship with her husband and singing partner Ike Turner. The film is based on the book I, Tina, which is written by Turner and Kurt Loder.
Their Eyes Are Watching God
Latter parts of Lemonade in particular, feature old world, Southern imagery, much like what can be found in the 2005 film, Their Eyes Are Watching God, which is based on a novel of the same name by Zora Neale Hurston. The movie is a coming of age story starring Halle Berry and Michael Ealy, following a long woman finding her way in the world as she falls in love. The book also deals with racism and gender roles in the early 20th century.
Idlewild
Some pundits have also compared imagery in Lemonade to the 2006 film Idlewild , which stars Terrence Howard, Paula Jai Parker, Paula Patton, Cicely Tyson. The movies follows events at the a club in a town called Idlewild during the Great Depression. Musical and visual themes surround hip-hop, funk and soul.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Many have noted, congratulated and criticised that activist tones within Lemonade, but the film makes very clear Beyonce’s stance on issues such as racism and gun violence, which reminds us very much of Nina Simone. The 2015 documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? Features interviews of Simone’s friends and family discussing the late soul singer and activist.
