Moonlight

Genre: personal drama

With: Mahershala Ali (Juan), Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes (Chiron as a boy, teenager and adult respectively), Naomie Harris (Paula, Chiron’s mother), Janelle Monáe (Teresa, Juan’s girlfriend), Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome and André Holland (Kevin at age 9, as a teenager and as an adult respectively), Patrick Decile (Terrel), Shariff Earp (Terrence), Duan Sanderson (Azu)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Screenplay: Barry Jenkins (from a story by Tarell Alvin McCraney)

Release: 2016

Studio: Elevation Pictures, A24, Pastel, Plan B Entertainment

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.6/10

  

‟I'm me man. Ain't trying to be nothing else.” 

 

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Story-line: Miami in the 1970s. While cruising around to meet his associates, drug trafficker Juan sees a boy being pursued by mean-spirited schoolmates. He follows along, finds the frightened boy hiding inside an abandoned apartment and tries to connect with him. When he realizes that the odds of life are stacked against the boy – named Chiron but often called ‟Little” –, Juan decides to take him under his wing with the help of his pretty lady Teresa.   

Pluses: terrific acting by Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes as Chiron the sad young man, an impressive Mahershala Ali (Juan the gentle giant), a very strong Naomie Harris (as Chiron’s intimidating mother), Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome and André Holland (as Chiron’s only friend) and all underage actors involved, impeccable and thoughtful direction, a serious and realistic screenplay featuring pungent dialogues, memorable scenes and moments of welcome introspection, high-quality production values, sharp cinematography, a beaty, soulful and always fabulous soundtrack (especially Hello Stranger by Barbara Lewis) and a bittersweet ending that leaves you speechless.

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: the moving and worthy MOONLIGHT follows Chiron, the introverted son of a dysfunctional family, from childhood to adulthood, focusing on the abuses he had to withstand, his difficult adaptation to a brutal, careless world and the pains he will carry all his life. Nominated 8 times at the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony, Barry Jenkins’ work garnered Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. Need I say more? 

 

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