Moonlight

Moonlight is a revelation. Not for the performances (although they are very good), or the cinematography, or even the writing. It is a revelation because it dared to approach themes and characters that other similar films wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

Moonlight is director Barry Jenkins’s second feature film, based on a stage play concerning the development of our hero, Chiron, throughout three stages of his turbulent life. We see him as a child, then as a teenager, then finally as a young man, all the while dealing with his drug-addicted mother and the expectations of the society in which he lives. It is in the first part that we see Mahershala Ali’s oscar-winning turn as Juan, Chiron’s friendly neighborhood drug dealer, and father figure, earning his Oscar. A huge amount of Moonlight is filled with close-ups, focusing on the actor’s facial expressions, and Ali puts most of Juan’s character into his face. Many of the most memorable moments are just people talking to each other, not violence, despite the film using violence at one or two key points to add emphasis or impact to a certain point.

Naomie Harris should get a special mention for her performance. Her character changes along with Chiron, but travels down a very different path. It’s hard to believe she was ever Moneypenny. She is just so effectively hateable, so utterly disgusting, especially towards her son. The last major role is that of Kevin, Chiron’s lifelong friend, and we see him at every interval as well. He grows and changes with Chiron, but in a very different direction. These two form the romantic heart of the film, and their connection is used to highlight how much an upbringing can change the prospects of those subjected to it.

The film begins to slow down when you reach the third chapter, especially after a rather explosive second chapter. This is the only point when I think the film overdoes the silence of certain scenes and confuses it with subtlety. At some point, silence gets boring. Occasionally it can get a bit awkward, with conversations just hanging in mid-air.

It must be said that it is a very pretty film, both visually and audio-wise. The soundtrack subtly changes throughout, mirroring Chiron’s character and the way he changes as a person. It is a wonderful little detail and just one of the reasons that this film won Best Picture. All in all, Moonlight is a great film that will no doubt go on to become a classic, not just for its unexpected Oscar win, but for breaking many conventions surrounding romance and relationships.