Writer director Barry Jenkins has produced a stunning movie which explores poverty (especially as it intersects with racialized communities), toxic masculinity, and homophobia. Told over three periods of a young man's life (his childhood, his youth, and his young adulthood), Moonlight is raw and rich in its painting of this man. He is an example of strength and humanity as he faces some of the greatest challenges a young man might have to face. And it is in finding a moment of peace and love at the end which is so wholly triumphant. Jenkins' masterfully builds us to this moment and shows us just how beautiful and truly wonderful it is.
All three actors who portray Chiron do a wonderful job. Each plays him stoically and silently strong and yet each manage to reach into a very vulnerable place. It is Trevante Rhodes' lovely breaking down of a man shedding his armor in the last act of the film which makes it so successfully moving. He and Andre Holland have an amazing chemistry and their final act is so compelling, so watchable, so satisfying. It is impossible not to be moved by it.
I have now watched Moonlight a number of times and each time it becomes richer, more nuanced, more gorgeous. It strikes me powerfully each viewing and its achievement as a film is remarkable. Its story, one which gives voice to lives which often don't get to have their voices heard, is specific and its power is in that specificity. It isn't trying to be a film about an everyman. This is about Chiron and his story is as valuable, relevant, and important as any other story.
Moonlight will blow you away and will make you so very glad you spent your time with it.
Moonlight
Starring: Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert, Andre Holland, Mahershala Ali, Naomi Harris, Janelle Monae, Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writers: Tarell Alvin McCraney, Barry Jenkins
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