The new film Moonlight once began its journey in drama school as a class project titled, “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.” Playwright and Miami native, Tarrell Alvin McCraney, submitted this piece to the Borscht Film Festival which highlights regional artists in Miami that possess the gift of storytelling. In 2013 writer/director Barry Jenkins received McCraney’s work via a Borscht collective member and the rest is history.
With the topics of race, sexuality, masculinity, identity, family and love all encompassed in this one film it is definitely a conversation starter for the audience. The word Moonlight refers to shining light in darkness, because when you are having to put up a facade it is considered living in some type of darkness. In the African American community, sometimes the discussion of an adult’s sexuality preference is rarely brought out to the forefront. It ‘s about time for people to see and understand the process of life and how it shapes the decisions and choices we all make on a daily basis. An interesting aspect of this film was being able to see the phases of one man’s life from childhood to an adult. This process truly helped us to see how the main character developed overtime.
In the first phase of the film we’re introduced to a ten-year-old Chiron who is nicknamed “Little” and deserves so much more out of life. Growing up in a rough neighborhood of South Florida is one thing, but having to be an adult while learning how to be a child is a whole new dimension. Whenever Little’s melancholy expression flashed across the screen my heart ached for him. There are times throughout the film when you will have quiet moments. At first this seemed odd but writer/director Barry Jenkins explains, “You don’t see black males on screen where they’re just allowed to emote instead of talking or being active all the time. All three actors were great at emoting.”
As a mother, no one wants to see a child embrace hardship. Unfortunately, one of the greatest battles this child had to endure was witnessing his mother suffer from drug addiction. You can be poor and live in a rough neighborhood, but when you have a loving family it’s as if you have all the money in the world. However, Little was poor and for quite some time all alone to fend for himself. We quickly begin to see and foreshadowed the pain and anguish he would face ahead in life.
In this 10-year-old phase a bright side appeared although it was attached to a shadow of darkness. The bright side was meeting “Juan” played by actor Mahershala Ali, who became a father figure/mentor to Little and shielded him from some painful moments. Singer/songwriter Janelle Monae created more light when she took over as the role of Juan’s girlfriend “Teresa” and offered love to a motherless child.
A moving moment appears when Little learns the connection between Juan’s job and the plight of his mother’s downfall. It was enlightening to see Juan shed tears when someone who innocently looked up to him saw his weakness. It is also in this phase where Little’s mother questions the validity of his future manhood. This scene was profound. Tarrell McCraney explains “It was important to me to show from the beginning how the community is active in Chiron’s life,” McCraney says. “The community knows things about him before he knows them about himself. People want to place him in a category before he even understands what that means. This happens to all of us, whether we’re male, female, black, white, straight or gay. There are moments when our community decides to tell us what they see us as. How we respond to that makes our struggle very real, and deeply influences how our lives unfold.”
Phase two transitions to 16-year-old “Chiron” growing up as a teenager. The bullies continue throughout high school and the struggle of “Who Am I?” begins. After having an intimate encounter with his friend Kevin, the next question to emerge is “What If?” Once again another bright side with a shadow of darkness appears when Kevin uses the falsehood of his identity to evoke physical pain upon Chiron. However, it is in this phase that we finally see the confidence of Chiron emerge as he no longer runs away but faces the deception. There is another powerful scene in which I cheered for his boldness, because there are times when enough is enough.
Phase three appears with a handsome early 30s Chiron nicknamed “Black” played by Trevante Rhodes. When Trevonte jumps out of bed his nicely chiseled body makes us all swoon. We begin to see his continuation into adulthood and learn more about his true feelings. There is one scene in this phase in which I began scratching my head and thinking, “How can Chiron be so forgiving of his friend and not his mother?” Then again, when love and infatuation enters the room we’re all susceptible to doing some crazy things.
Overall, I applaud McCraney and Jenkins for using their platform to showcase a man whose story is rarely told or understood. Moonlight is now available in theaters and Rated R due to some sexuality, drug use, brief violence, and language throughout the film. For more information about this movie visit the website and social media accounts below.
www.moonlight-movie.com
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