Thematic
This movie unapologetic explores complex dynamics of Identity and sexuality
Nominated
Editing, writing and cinematography are only several of the accolades Moonlight is nominated for
Dramatic
The preformances here are nothing short of career defining
Certified Fresh
A Whooping 98% on rotten tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes 98% Cinemascore: NA
Boyhood, this film is not. Moonlight may lack the gimmick of filming the same child actor over ten years, capturing the transition from youth to adulthood through the lens of a camera, but what it lacks in production time it makes up in a compelling screenplay and brilliant direction depicted under an intelligent cinematographer.
Like Mason in the similarly constructed 2014 film, Moonlight follows Chiron through three stages of his life. Act 1 depicts Chiron as a child with a drug addict mother and an absent father figure, Act two picks up with Chiron in high school and Act three finishes with Chiron as an adult. Each act stands alone, seemingly telling isolated narratives, until the third act where the larger narrative becomes clear. This is not a comedy, nor a feel good picture, but rather an unforgiving drama that demands the viewer to ask how our experiences have shaped our own lives much like it does Chiron's.
Moonlight is a film fan's fetish film, trading out quick edits and jump cuts for longer takes focused on our protagonist. Director Barry Jenkins wisely keep the camera close to Chiron at all times, keeping him in a medium close up shot whenever possible. This keeps many of the experiences we see with Chiron feel more personal and therefore more interesting, compelling us to forgive and grow with Chiron as he catapults into adulthood. I dare not give away more than what I already have, but if you feel nothing for the protagonist in this film then there's nothing I can do to help you.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the performances given the chance in this review. It's already noted both Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali have both received nominations for their roles, and while they absolutely deserve the attention they are getting, this is the rare occasion in a film where every performance seems to serve the whole rather than every actor to his or her character. There are no standout performances yet everybody is exceptional. All credit once again goes to Jenkins who managed to blend many different actors, some even portraying the same person across multiple periods, and having it all feel cohesive on one linear narrative. This is a movie where practically everybody could have been nominated (not to say everyone should) because each performance elevates the other rather than standing out against the grain.
Moonlight is a powerful film and I can't do it justice here. It will not be for everyone, and sad to say even though it was nominated for best picture, it may go under the radar for the vast majority of audiences out there. As I have said many times before this will not be for everybody, but for those who go and seek it out it may just become one of their most memorable movies in recent record like it has become for me.
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