Every year around this time, there is an expectation that moviegoers will be blown away by certain films. The Oscar season is known for providing cinephiles with not only pleasant surprises but serious contenders. This year’s entry into that list is Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight. In a year where “Oscar So White” ruled the early part of 2016, it is safe to say that because of films like this, the “Oscar So White” debate can be put to rest because Moonlight is a film that cannot and should not be ignored.
Moonlight tells the story of Chiron, a young man dealing with a dysfunctional home life in Miami during the “War on Drugs” era. Chiron’s struggle is told across three defining chapters in his life as a youth, teen, and adult.
Two years after the ultimate 12-year coming of age film Boyhood was released, we are treated to a coming of age story that explores the idea that despite us getting “older and wiser”, a person may never truly come of age and be who they are truly meant to be. A story that shows that unsaid words will hang heavy and unlike Boyhood, whose protagonist was carefree, Chiron carries the weight of the world on his shoulders with a drug addicted mother and the disconnect and inability to let anyone know he is gay.
During his youth, Chiron develops a relationship with Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer whose dealings eventually coincide with Chiron’s personal life. Before that moment, you are witnessed to a beautiful bond created by Chiron and Juan. From their first meeting when Juan finds Chiron in a crack house hiding from bullies to the moment where Juan teaches Chiron how to swim as a sort of baptism, you see the affection for each other grow on both ends and that is aided by the wonderful, yet short performance of Mahershala Ali. As a son of a single mother, who lacked the fatherly figure, Ali’s performance and ability to express that connection on screen was quite moving for me and despite the lack of screen time, is deserving of consideration for a best supporting actor nomination at next year’s Academy Awards.
As a teen, Chiron’s budding romance with Kevin begins on a secluded beach as the two boys share a look out on the ocean, offering each other their perspective and a glimpse of a better life and at that very moment are able to be let themselves be free. Jenkins, subtle in his approach, is brilliant as the moment is built slowly with looks between the two through adolescence and as teens culminating in that moment on the beach. However, those dreams are cut short when Terrel (Chiron’s biggest antagonist) bullies Kevin into fighting Chiron. His classmate begs Chiron to give up, but the boy stands there and takes Kevin’s blows, used to the pain by now. Realizing that he has nothing left, Chiron strikes back leading to devastating consequences.
The film ultimately transitions into adulthood and we see Chiron, in turn, become the only person that truly cared about him, Juan. He is now drug dealing making money but truly unhappy. The inability to come out with his true self is best seen in a moment with a young man, where he is asked “where the hoes at” and Chiron lacks a response. After meeting Kevin once again, we see Chiron, at last, be himself and attempt to open up. Jenkin’s closing shot is one that shows fear, pain, but acceptance for each other and the hope that both Kevin and Chiron will be free to be themselves.
Moonlight is poetry at its finest. Poetry which is executed within the score of the film. A score that aids every key moment in film, from the blending of hip-hop in the opening “Every N**** is a Star” to the chopped and screwed classical music to the powerful “Hello Stranger” by Barbara Lewis, Nicholas Britell does a fine job and further proof that a film score truly can add to the greatness of the film.
There is no other way to put it, Moonlight is one of the very best films of the year so far. It is a reminder that despite background, geographic location, race, or sexual orientation, everyone seeks comfort, shelter, someone, and a space in which we can truly be ourselves.
Reel Talk gives Moonlight 4 reels
