Moonlight - The Film

Last weekend, I watched the movie, Moonlight, and it is easily one of my favorite movies of all

time. Moonlight is one of the most important films, period. 

Moonlight, which released in 2017 and is directed by Barry Jenkins, follows the life of Chiron, an African American living in a rough neighborhood in Miami. The film is structured into 3 acts, “Little”, “Chiron”, and “Black”, each of these sections showcase the internal struggles of the main protagonist. In the first act, “Little”, we learn that Chiron is bullied at a very early age. He was seen as an outcast and knew he did not fit in because of his sexuality. Chiron has no friends except for a drug-dealer who takes him under his wing, his mother’s role is nonexistent due to drug use, and he struggles to find comfort in who he actually is. The second act, “Chiron”, follows him as a young teen and explores his deteriorating school life and the continued demise of his home life. This act also makes us more aware of Chiron's homosexuality and the harsh circumstances he is faced with on top of the already difficult challenges of an adolescent minority. The third and final act, "Black," presents us with Chiron as a young man. We are able to see how all the experiences and people from the first two acts have shaped this man into who he is today and the choices that will define him for the rest of his life.

I tried my best to explain the general plot gist of Moonlight without giving away any spoilers, but my explanation of the plot does not do the film any justice. As I mention before, I believe that Moonlight is one of the most important movies of our generation, not only because of its cultural significance but also because of its detailed and meticulous way of telling one of the most engrossing stories ever to be put on the big screen. Every decision made by Barry Jenkins seems so purposeful and it adds so much value to the message of the movie.

The gay community and its culture seem overwhelmingly white. However, Jenkins’s depiction of a queer black man and the challenges the character faces is very fascinating. When thinking of a movie that revolves around struggling with sexuality, I often think about a white character. But Moonlight breaks this stereotype. When thinking of a movie that revolves around being black from the “hood”, I think about gang violence and drugs. But, yet again, Moonlight breaks this stereotype. This film conveys the idea of finding and embracing your identity when put into positions of uncertainty and isolation, a message that needs to be spread to our society, especially during the times we are in now.

At a conceptual level, Moonlight is one of the hardest films to understand despite its clear, linear structure. Growing up and living with these internal struggles is not something that can be brushed over like other movies attempt to do. As a film, this movie will lead to more honest and brutal stories about sexuality and identity. Moonlight is complex, difficult, saddening, but above all, it is beautiful. If you have not watched it already, I highly recommend watching Moonlight.