By Emilio Frenk.
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, Naomie Harris, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, Alex R. Hibbert and André Holland.
Rating: Excellent.
Writer/Director Barry Jenkins makes his feature film debut with “Moonlight” and I was not only pleased but the movie but amazed of the film itself.
The movie tells the chronological story of Little (Alex R. Hibbert), Chiron (Ashton Sanders) and Black (Trevante Rhodes); overall this are the titles of the exact character by the name of “Chiron” at different ages and phases of his life from being a kid to an adult.
The movie takes place in Miami and it´s the story of Chiron and his struggles in growing up in a tough environment that will lead him to a journey of self acceptance and truth.
Barry Jenkin’s career couldn´t start better and he directed what I called a masterpiece. He didn´t get into cliches and to much melodramatic elements which is very common in this type of movies and in “Moonlight” he directed a movie that is true in all aspects.
The script written by Jenkins not only has a strong thematic but the approach on topics like bullying and racism are told in a way that has never been reached at that level and this is one of the things that makes the movie a worth to watch.
The characters of the film you immediately find a connection with them no matter what they do for a living; the dialogue written in the screenplay was top of the notch and I was impressed by it.
The way in how Jenkins tells the story of Chiron in all the phases of his life works at all levels and I was very impressed by the quality of storytelling here.
The only thing that I was a little hesitant was the dream sequences which at the begining I felt that didn´t work but then I understood Jenkin’s approach on this and eventually everything made sense.
The flashforwards in this movie work and Jenkins was very smart in using this tool properly since it can lead to constant repetitions and redundance in storytelling. Here was not the case.
Most of the cast of this film are the new blood in Hollywood and we are going to hear from them a lot in the next years.
For this film be prepared to bring youself a packet of tissues since you will need them. This movie will touch you´re heart and you will be moved in every aspect of it.
“Moonlight” is one of the year’s best films of and I hope you enjoyed even more as I did and I can guarantee you that you will.