“There's a mistake. Moonlight, you won Best Picture,” La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz announced. After accepting the award for his film, Horowitz held up a card reading “Moonlight” to a shocked crowd. Due to a backstage error, Warren Beatty, presenter of the award, had been handed the wrong envelope before walking onstage causing one of the biggest blunders in the history of the Academy Awards. In the middle of their victory speech, the La La Land cast and crew was forced to hand over their trophies to the rightful winners. It was a powerful crisis of identity for both films that mirrors the very crisis that the characters are forced to face in Moonlight.
Reflecting the harsh realities of American urban society, this film is split into three chapters of a boy’s life in Miami—“Little,” “Chiron,” and “Black,” from childhood to adolescence and to adulthood. Three stellar actors, one for each chapter, lead us through this boy’s struggle of identity of a gay black man.
In the beginning of the film, Chiron is nicknamed “Little” (Alex R. Hibbert) because of his small size and meek demeanor. Little is chased by neighborhood bullies and is found by Juan (Mahershala Ali) a dope dealer, who takes him back to his place and feeds him. Seeking refuge from his emotionally abusive drug addict mother, Paula (Naomie Harris), the quiet and painfully shy Little looks up to Juan as the father and mentor figure who offers advice and comfort. In one of the most dramatic scenes, Juan takes Little to the beach and tells him about his past. He states, "At some point you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be." This quote is then repeated throughout the film echoing Chiron’s struggle to find himself in the world. Using this technique, writer-director Berry Jenkins highlights the struggle of identity each person faces during their life.
There is an irony that Jenkins exploits here as well. While Juan speaks these words, it becomes clear that they may not necessarily be true. Though Juan states that Chiron must decide his identity, it is Juan who seems most uncertain of his own. Shortly after talking with Chiron, Juan confronts Chiron’s mother Paula when he finds her on the street smoking crack cocaine only to be reminded that he sold it to her in the first place. The next day, Chiron asks Juan about his mother’s drug use and is forced to accept that his mentor betrayed him. Jenkins shows the audience that even the kindest and most loving people have skeletons in their closet and that the issue of identity is often much more than a simple decision.
Following this period, the second chapter begins. Juan is dead, and Chiron becomes a teenager (Ashton Sanders). He continues to visit Teresa, the woman Juan was dating in the first chapter. Teresa is now Chrion’s refuge from his mother’s drug addiction and emotional abuse as well as the bullying he receives from his classmate Terrel (Patrick Decile). His other refugee is his childhood friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome), who extended friendship and kindness. Continuing to struggle with his sexual identity, Chiron develops feelings for Kevin. At a moonlit beach setting, Chiron and Kevin kiss and engage in sexual activity. But when Kevin betrays Chiron’s trust and affection when he attacks him at Terrel’s request, Chiron retaliates by hitting Terrel in the back with a chair, leading to Chiron’s arrest.
In this chapter, Jenkins explores the themes that he began building in the first. While Chiron is still struggling to decide who he is, it is shown that he cannot escape the influence of others. Neither can Kevin who is easily manipulated by Terrel into attacking his friend. Their identities in large part are shaped by the people around them and the betrayals they face.
The third chapter begins years later when Chiron is an adult, obtaining the nickname “Black.” Adult Chiron follows the path of Juan and is now a drug dealer in Atlanta, wearing flashy gold accessories and diamond earrings. Physically, he appears much more fit, but underneath his strong physical appearance, his eyes still exude the sorrow and vulnerability of his younger days. Struggling to find his identity, the audience is able to finally grasp the true meaning of Juan’s early words. No one ever really decides who they become; their paths are often paved by choices that were made by others. Chiron becomes like Juan but never really finds himself.
The overreaching theme of Moonlight centers around the struggle each person faces to discover their identity. With emotionally captivating scenes, Chiron’s struggles seem almost real. The harsh realities of society are barred for all to see as Chiron must confront his race and sexuality in a world where his true self is not entirely accepted.
Throughout the film, Chiron depends on others to find himself but is ultimately betrayed by his mother, friends, peers, and even his mentor Juan. Moonlight forces the audience to see themselves through the eyes of Chiron and truly question their very identity and what makes them who they are. Ironically enough, incorrectly awarding La La Land the Best Picture Award at the Oscars mirrors the very crisis of identity that the characters of Moonlight are forced to confront.
Beyond the controversy, however, Moonlight remains a captivating lyrical film that deserves to be recognized and appreciated for its emotionally captivating storyline. Through the superb directing from Barry Jenkins, a memorable musical scoring from Nicholas Britell, neon-like and evocative cinematography from James Laxton plus stunning profound performances by the entire ensemble cast, Moonlight is a must-see film of 2017.
Alexander Lin
Reflecting the harsh realities of American urban society, this film is split into three chapters of a boy’s life in Miami—“Little,” “Chiron,” and “Black,” from childhood to adolescence and to adulthood. Three stellar actors, one for each chapter, lead us through this boy’s struggle of identity of a gay black man.
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| via Sydney Bengalis |
In the beginning of the film, Chiron is nicknamed “Little” (Alex R. Hibbert) because of his small size and meek demeanor. Little is chased by neighborhood bullies and is found by Juan (Mahershala Ali) a dope dealer, who takes him back to his place and feeds him. Seeking refuge from his emotionally abusive drug addict mother, Paula (Naomie Harris), the quiet and painfully shy Little looks up to Juan as the father and mentor figure who offers advice and comfort. In one of the most dramatic scenes, Juan takes Little to the beach and tells him about his past. He states, "At some point you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be." This quote is then repeated throughout the film echoing Chiron’s struggle to find himself in the world. Using this technique, writer-director Berry Jenkins highlights the struggle of identity each person faces during their life.
There is an irony that Jenkins exploits here as well. While Juan speaks these words, it becomes clear that they may not necessarily be true. Though Juan states that Chiron must decide his identity, it is Juan who seems most uncertain of his own. Shortly after talking with Chiron, Juan confronts Chiron’s mother Paula when he finds her on the street smoking crack cocaine only to be reminded that he sold it to her in the first place. The next day, Chiron asks Juan about his mother’s drug use and is forced to accept that his mentor betrayed him. Jenkins shows the audience that even the kindest and most loving people have skeletons in their closet and that the issue of identity is often much more than a simple decision.
Following this period, the second chapter begins. Juan is dead, and Chiron becomes a teenager (Ashton Sanders). He continues to visit Teresa, the woman Juan was dating in the first chapter. Teresa is now Chrion’s refuge from his mother’s drug addiction and emotional abuse as well as the bullying he receives from his classmate Terrel (Patrick Decile). His other refugee is his childhood friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome), who extended friendship and kindness. Continuing to struggle with his sexual identity, Chiron develops feelings for Kevin. At a moonlit beach setting, Chiron and Kevin kiss and engage in sexual activity. But when Kevin betrays Chiron’s trust and affection when he attacks him at Terrel’s request, Chiron retaliates by hitting Terrel in the back with a chair, leading to Chiron’s arrest.
In this chapter, Jenkins explores the themes that he began building in the first. While Chiron is still struggling to decide who he is, it is shown that he cannot escape the influence of others. Neither can Kevin who is easily manipulated by Terrel into attacking his friend. Their identities in large part are shaped by the people around them and the betrayals they face.
The third chapter begins years later when Chiron is an adult, obtaining the nickname “Black.” Adult Chiron follows the path of Juan and is now a drug dealer in Atlanta, wearing flashy gold accessories and diamond earrings. Physically, he appears much more fit, but underneath his strong physical appearance, his eyes still exude the sorrow and vulnerability of his younger days. Struggling to find his identity, the audience is able to finally grasp the true meaning of Juan’s early words. No one ever really decides who they become; their paths are often paved by choices that were made by others. Chiron becomes like Juan but never really finds himself.
The overreaching theme of Moonlight centers around the struggle each person faces to discover their identity. With emotionally captivating scenes, Chiron’s struggles seem almost real. The harsh realities of society are barred for all to see as Chiron must confront his race and sexuality in a world where his true self is not entirely accepted.
Throughout the film, Chiron depends on others to find himself but is ultimately betrayed by his mother, friends, peers, and even his mentor Juan. Moonlight forces the audience to see themselves through the eyes of Chiron and truly question their very identity and what makes them who they are. Ironically enough, incorrectly awarding La La Land the Best Picture Award at the Oscars mirrors the very crisis of identity that the characters of Moonlight are forced to confront.
 |
| via A24Films |
Beyond the controversy, however, Moonlight remains a captivating lyrical film that deserves to be recognized and appreciated for its emotionally captivating storyline. Through the superb directing from Barry Jenkins, a memorable musical scoring from Nicholas Britell, neon-like and evocative cinematography from James Laxton plus stunning profound performances by the entire ensemble cast, Moonlight is a must-see film of 2017.
Alexander Lin
