In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing MOONLIGHT (2016), from a script by and directed by Barry Jenkins, the story is based on the unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Winner of 3 Academy Awards (Best Motion Picture of the Year/ Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role [Mahershala Ali] and Best Adapted Screenplay [Barry Jenkins]). The film is the coming-of-age story of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood, as he grapples with his identity, sexuality, and emotional isolation over three stages of his life—childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. As he struggles with a neglectful mother, bullying, and internalized shame, Chiron finds brief moments of connection through a compassionate drug dealer named Juan (Mahershala Ali) and a complex bond with his friend Kevin. The film quietly charts his journey toward self-acceptance, culminating in a tender, hard-won moment of vulnerability and intimacy. The film is told in 3 chapters and each chapter is represented by 3 individually unique actors portraying Chiron: Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes. The film clocks in at 1 h and 51 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Tubi but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
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Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library