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Growing up is hard enough for any kid. Everyone struggles to discover their individual identity—while, at the same time, just trying to fit in. And it’s even harder for a soft kid in a hard neighborhood—like the main character in Moonlight.
Moonlight tells the story of a boy who struggles with his identity while growing up in a rough neighborhood in Miami. Raised by a drug-addicted mom (Naomie Harris) and bullied by the other kids in the neighborhood, quiet young Chiron, who’s simply known as Little (Alex Hibbert), finds friendship in an unlikely place: at the home of the dealer who feeds his mother’s addiction. And as he grows into a tentative teen and later a tough-acting young man, he pushes himself to act stronger and more confident than he feels.
Based on an unproduced play and told in three parts during different points in the main character’s life, Moonlight is an unhurried drama about more than just growing up in a rough neighborhood; it’s about growing up different in a rough neighborhood. Here, the role models aren’t doctors or teachers or artists; they’re the kind of people who carry guns and make a fortune by taking advantage of the neighborhood’s weaknesses.
At times, the film’s simplicity will remind you that it started out as a play. It isn’t an especially dynamic film; it’s sometimes slow and even drawn-out, with long, silent shots of quiet characters. Its focus is on the characters, their relationships, and especially their conversations, and it’s filled with conflicts, contradictions, and difficult decisions. Admittedly, though, some of the characters’ conversations seem a little too open and unguarded, with teenage boys discussing their fears and feelings and insecurities with the kind of vulnerability and sincerity that few teenagers (or even adults) seem capable of. And instead of natural and honest, these moments can feel contrived.
Still, the main character—and the three actors who play him—carries the film. Chiron is a quiet loner who doesn’t fit in with the kids around him. As his mother’s condition declines, he withdraws even more. He struggles to follow the advice given to him as a child—to decide for himself who he’s going to be. Each of the three stars offers insight into the character, his challenges, and his choices. And although the film leaves viewers with loose ends and unanswered questions, it’s still a fascinating character study.
Moonlight definitely isn’t for those who prefer straightforward films with simple resolution. It’s a challenging—and slow—drama. But it’s skillfully acted and lovingly told—a smart and thoughtful story about one character’s quest to find his own path.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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