'Moonlight' A Review

Moonlight is a lyrical and rich coming of age drama set in Miami focusing on the same character, Chiron, over three different time periods. The film opens on Juan(Mahershala Ali) a drug dealer as he checks in on one of his corners. A group of kids chase Chiron in this first act called Little(Alex Hibbert) who eventually hides in an abandoned apartment. Little is later found and befriended by Juan. Little's controlling mother Paula(Naomie Harris) has a burgeoning but object's to Juan's involvement in her sons life. The second act follows the solemn and introspective Chiron(Ashton Sanders) as he navigates high school and develops a deeper connection to his childhood friend Kevin. The third act sees Chiron now called Black(Trevante Rhodes) as a drug dealer in Atlanta as he returns to Miami to reconnect with Kevin(André Holland).

Across the board the entire cast gives incredibly dynamic, layered, passionate performances. All three actors that play Chiron do so with a depth, nuance, and believability that is magnetic. Although there is some physical resemblance between them the three actors manager to each capture the spirit of this compassionate soul. Ali gives one of the most confident and compelling performances of his career with little flash but incredible weight. Harris as Chiron's mercurial mother conveys such complexity in the somewhat limited screen time she has. Holland as the third iteration of Kevin exudes a quiet calm, playfulness, and empathy that is stunning in its beauty. Truly from the smallest to the largest role there is no casting misstep. A perfect ensemble.

The saturated and compelling visuals paired with the affecting at times eerie score serve not to heighten the narrative but meld with it, imparting just as much information and emotion as the characters and dialogue. At times surreal and dreamlike, at times hopelessly real Moonlight is cinema exceeding its potential. Poetic and stirring with a striking human resonance.

One of the best films of the year.

Don't Miss It.