*****
Divided into three sections, Moonlight follows the life of Chiron, from boy to teenager and then to grown man.
It seems somewhat cliché now, after all the rave reviews and the Best Picture Oscar win, for me to award Moonlight a 5-star rating. And yet, to give it anything other would be a travesty, because Barry Jenkin's film is nothing short of a masterpiece. Showcasing three different sections in the life of Chiron, a young black man living in rough neighbourhood, the film weaves a profoundly moving narrative about life, love and masculinity. Featuring three pitch-perfect performances by the lead actors, we are guided from Chiron's lonely childhood, to his ostracised teenage years and then into his uneasy adulthood. As a character, Chiron actually says very little, meaning that his thoughts and feelings must be portrayed through his face, eyes and actions - something that each actor, especially teenage Ashton Sanders, does exceptionally well. There are brilliant supporting performances too, from the likes of Mahershala Ali's conflicted Juan to Chiron's drug addict mother played by Naomi Harris, who's influence on her son's life can be felt throughout the story.
It is not just the actors who immerse you in the film, however, but the excellent use of photography and sound. At times, the camera circles our cast, at other moments it is still (in one scene it is lapped by waves, giving us only glimpses of what is happening), and at other points it focuses entirely on the faces of the characters within the scenes. We are both integrated and alienated by the changes in how the scenes are framed - a very powerful move on the behalf of Jenkins. The soundtrack is similarly hard-hitting. In the first section, 'Little', the images are accompanied by movements of classical music, whilst in the latter stages of the film uses the deep tones of bass notes and rap to punctuate the scenes. In some moments, however, there is just silence or unadulterated speech, and these are the most moving parts of all.
Far from an easy watch, Moonlight is certainly a moving and profound story that, quite honestly, deserves all the accolades it can get. As artistic as it is hard-hitting and as beautiful as it is sad, our brief insight into Chiron's changing world is one that I have long pondered ever since. You may find yourself lingering in your seat to pause a while as the credits roll...
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