By Julia Berkman
“Moonlight” is a new film that has made quite an impact since its release in October of this year. The film is currently being shown at the Pickford, and has received widespread critical acclaim. Keep reading for a full synopsis of this groundbreaking story.
Warning: spoilers ahead.
“Moonlight” is a film told in three acts: the loss of innocence in Chiron’s youth, his turbulent adolescent years, and the culmination of his life in adulthood. Dubbed a different nickname in each act, Chiron grows from a silent child to a drug dealer attempting to hide his youthful disposition.
In the first act, Chiron is dubbed Little because of his small stature. Little’s act is a tale of hero worship and disappointment. He meets Juan, a dealer, while running from bullies. Juan takes him home, feeds him and introduces him to his girlfriend, Theresa, in his lavish Miami home. Juan becomes a father figure to Little, despite the fact that he is the one who sells crack to Chiron’s mother.
“Moonlight” is named so because of a quote from Juan. In his youth, Juan was told that when black boys run under the moonlight, they glow blue. The moon serves as a central motif in this moving and visually stunning film.
Years could be spent dissecting the cinematography in “Moonlight.” Each shot is curated, perfectly executed to achieve a visceral reaction in its viewers.
The camera work used in relation to violent scenes is also notable. Swirling camera work that tracks the main character during an aggressive moment leads you into the frantic world of Miami’s underground scene. When Chiron’s friend Kevin is forced to fight with him, for example, the camera tracks the instigator, Terrell, as he stalks his prey. The cinematography in “Moonlight” makes you feel like you know Chiron as he grows up. You can still recognize his mannerisms by the time he’s all grown up.
Chiron’s second chapter of his life is the worst one: high school. Chiron struggles with his peers and his feelings for Kevin. What Chiron isn’t, Kevin is: a bright-eyed cheerful boy. Their relationship blossoms and wilts in a day; they share an affectionate moment alone on the beach, but less than 24 hours later Terrell convinces Kevin to beat Chiron up. Shy Chiron is beaten, but refuses to press charges against his only friend.
Another storytelling feature of the movie is lighting. You can feel the emotions of a scene in which the warm light that envelops Kevin like a hug as he smokes outside the diner. The pink light that shines on Chiron’s mother illuminates her harshly as she screams at him. The blue light that reflects off young Chiron’s skin on the beach is a nod to the movie’s title.
The third and final act in Chiron’s life, in which he is known as Black, is short. Black lives in Georgia, trapping just as Juan did many years ago. Chiron has reinvented himself as a hard and callous leader. His delicately compiled facade crumbles when he receives a call from Kevin.
I’ll leave the ending up to you, but I’ll tell you it’s nothing that makes you feel content and complete. Even if Kevin and Chiron end up happily together, that was not the point of the movie. It’s dangerous to be in love with another man when you also trap. Even in the last scene, where Kevin has his arm around Chiron, nothing is certain but the moment they’re in.