MOONLIGHT
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevonte Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, Andre Holland
Inspired by the play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” by Tarrell McCraney, “Moonlight” is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of human self-discovery and connection, chronicling the life of a young black man named Chiron as he journeys from childhood into manhood and struggles to find his place in the world where everything is against him.
In the beginning, Chiron is a little boy; frightened, alone and living in a bubble of his own making that very few people are able to penetrate. He is bullied in school by the other children, he is neglected at home by his mother who chooses her own selfish addictions over raising her son, and ultimately, Chiron’s small world is only broken by the compassion he receives from Theresa and Juan who offer the lonely child a safe haven from the darkness that surrounds him. It is Juan who teaches Chiron that he must decide who he wants to be…and that he can’t let anyone make that decision for him. Throughout the course of his journey, Chiron’s identity goes through an extraordinary transformation before he ultimately makes peace with himself.
When Chiron is a young man, this cycle continues. While he is surrounded by people, he is still very much in his own solitary world. Juan is no longer there to protect him, the other students still find their own amusement in tormenting him and his mother remains trapped in a dark prison of addiction. Although Juan has apparently died, Chiron still finds a mother-figure in Theresa who remains his only friend until, in a moment of rare vulnerability, Chiron finds a moment of connection with his friend Kevin when he allows Kevin to break the walls that surround his heart and give him something that he has spent his entire life longing for: love.
When Chiron passes from childhood into manhood, we see subtle hints that his character has changed. He is no longer a frightened child, but a reflection of Juan - the only father figure he has ever known. Because of the suffering that he experienced as a child, there is almost a darkness about his character, but buried deep within his heart, there still remains that child-like desire for connection. Chiron’s wish is ultimately realized when he finds the strength to forgive his mother for a lifetime of heartache and neglect and he reconnects with Kevin: the only person he has ever allowed to touch his heart.
I saw this film last night and admittedly, I didn’t know what to expect going into it. I can say with absolute conviction that this is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful, brilliantly told stories that I have ever seen. I cried so many tears as I witnessed Chiron’s story of silence and suffering and ultimately salvation. While it is not a comfortable movie to watch, “Moonlight” is definitely a film that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevonte Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, Andre Holland
Inspired by the play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” by Tarrell McCraney, “Moonlight” is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of human self-discovery and connection, chronicling the life of a young black man named Chiron as he journeys from childhood into manhood and struggles to find his place in the world where everything is against him.
In the beginning, Chiron is a little boy; frightened, alone and living in a bubble of his own making that very few people are able to penetrate. He is bullied in school by the other children, he is neglected at home by his mother who chooses her own selfish addictions over raising her son, and ultimately, Chiron’s small world is only broken by the compassion he receives from Theresa and Juan who offer the lonely child a safe haven from the darkness that surrounds him. It is Juan who teaches Chiron that he must decide who he wants to be…and that he can’t let anyone make that decision for him. Throughout the course of his journey, Chiron’s identity goes through an extraordinary transformation before he ultimately makes peace with himself.
When Chiron is a young man, this cycle continues. While he is surrounded by people, he is still very much in his own solitary world. Juan is no longer there to protect him, the other students still find their own amusement in tormenting him and his mother remains trapped in a dark prison of addiction. Although Juan has apparently died, Chiron still finds a mother-figure in Theresa who remains his only friend until, in a moment of rare vulnerability, Chiron finds a moment of connection with his friend Kevin when he allows Kevin to break the walls that surround his heart and give him something that he has spent his entire life longing for: love.
When Chiron passes from childhood into manhood, we see subtle hints that his character has changed. He is no longer a frightened child, but a reflection of Juan - the only father figure he has ever known. Because of the suffering that he experienced as a child, there is almost a darkness about his character, but buried deep within his heart, there still remains that child-like desire for connection. Chiron’s wish is ultimately realized when he finds the strength to forgive his mother for a lifetime of heartache and neglect and he reconnects with Kevin: the only person he has ever allowed to touch his heart.
I saw this film last night and admittedly, I didn’t know what to expect going into it. I can say with absolute conviction that this is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful, brilliantly told stories that I have ever seen. I cried so many tears as I witnessed Chiron’s story of silence and suffering and ultimately salvation. While it is not a comfortable movie to watch, “Moonlight” is definitely a film that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.