There are always a few films that come out each year that truly captivate audiences. They seem to come out of festivals like Sundance and Cannes and after those showings the hype of these films spreads like wildfire. 2016 had a few of these highly anticipated gems: Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea,” Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” and Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight.”
“Moonlight” is only Jenkins’ second feature-length film, based on a story by Tarell Alvin McCraney. It chronicles the life of a black man, Chiron, growing up in a rough area of Miami.
There are three chapters; One focusing on a time from his childhood, another focusing on a period during high school and the last when he’s an adult. No matter what period of his life is being shown, the same themes resonate. Loneliness, struggle, poverty, addiction and finding his place in a sometimes cruel world.
Like a lot of independent films, this has a very European feel. Most people that see mainstream movies dislike this style. They think the movie has more to offer in visuals than it does in actual story.
These people have a point for certain movies but not this one. As much as there is to offer in the visual realm, there is just as much to offer in the script.
Even though there are open ended moments, I think these elevate the realness of the film. No one knows everything about a person’s life, even if you’ve witnessed a good amount of it. Not knowing everything that happens to Chiron makes him so much more because the viewers wonder what else he has been through.
Chiron’s life was played out by three different actors. Alex Hibbert as the child, Ashton Sanders (“Straight Outta Compton”) as the teenager, and Trevante Rhodes (“If Loving You Is Wrong”) as the adult. This is actually Hibbert’s first and only role thus far in his career. It was powerful role to take on as his first effort, which he ultimately succeeded in.
Each actor brings something new to Chiron’s story, almost as if the audience can tell how much more he’s struggled since the last version we’ve seen. The transition between Sanders’ Chiron and Rhodes’ Black, is easily the most drastic change in the character throughout the film.
It is a project very reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood.” Granted Linklater’s film actually took twelve years to complete with the same actors playing their roles throughout the film but it is the transformation that is the key.
To go along with this fascinating narrative, “Moonlight” has a fantastic soundtrack of booming, rhythmic, soulful tracks from African-American culture, especially from the ‘60 – ‘80s, and astounding visuals. Each scene, no matter how simple or elaborate the subject matter is at that moment, is practically hypnotic. Swirling and floating throughout the environment like a spec watching everything unfold. A true visual feast.
This has to be one of the most powerful films released all year. So many different players bringing something unique to the table that an Academy Award is easily in their favor. Barry Jenkins and company have created something so visceral and real it’s almost too raw to watch. Intense to the point it makes the viewer’s mind unravel and wonder even after the picture is over.
