Moonlight is an American film that was produced and released in 2016. Barry Jenkins wrote and directed the movie, which starred eight black men. The movie features only black characters and is about the LGBTQ community. Essentially, it tells the story of Chiron, a young boy who showcases his life as an adolescent experiencing various life issues. Chiron faces numerous challenges as a result of his sexuality. While growing up in Miami, he endured multiple forms of emotional and physical abuse. Chiron is bullied in a variety of settings, including school. However, he finds comfort while interacting with his intimate friend Kevin who advises him not to be soft. Chiron and Kevin created believable, entertaining characters that portrayed the film’s theme.
Chiron, played by Trevante Rhodes (as adult), is the main character, and his canny, less emotive or talkative performance creates a relatable, captivating scene. Chiron’s biggest challenge in Moonlight is figuring out his sexuality, which is more difficult because he lacks a sustainable support structure. Several instances demonstrate how the actor was the most compelling. One of the moments is Chiron’s encounter with his mother, Paula, who unrelentingly shuts him off. His mother is a drug addict who despises herself and is abusive. When Paula asks him for money to buy drugs, Chiron refuses, uttering only single words like “no,” “mama” and “yes” or nodding to avoid more confrontations. Moonlight employs one visual strategy to demonstrate how disconnected his mother, Paula, becomes from the truth and how harsh she is to her son. The sound and camera are disjointed, while the words Paula is uttering to Chiron do not correspond to the image on the screen. Additionally, Chiron only tries to defend himself when bullied and does not say much. Generally, Chiron is impatiently struggling to identify who he is while coping with bullies who torment him with homophobic labels and violent assault.
Kevin, played by Andre Holland (as adult), is another character whose confident and courageous performance creates an entertaining and captivating experience. Several examples show the actor’s effectiveness, especially in advancing the storyline themes. Kevin and Chiron have an implicit bond, which the audience can observe when they start sharing an intimate moment on the shoreline. Despite the challenges, Chiron ultimately felt he had someone who understood his struggles. Kevin starts talking about the breeze at the beach in this climactic scene. Chiron’s performance was enhanced by one particular piece of camera work and sound enhancement. For instance, at the point when Kevin punches Chiron, there is total silence. The quietness mimics death since the moment is so pronounced that it almost seems like someone has died. Growing up, Kevin has always appreciated Chiron more than anyone else. Essentially, this is reinforced by the sea’s symbolism in Moonlight. The ocean and its sounds portray a haven for Kevin and Chiron. Furthermore, the blue lighting reflects accepting and being true to oneself.
The film’s story and purpose show that masculinity can be a part of an individual’s identity, but it should not characterize their existence. Moonlight reveals that human conditions like being black or gay should not hinder one from achieving life goals. Essentially, this assertion gives men like Chiron a reason to solely be considered a part of society. They should not face discrimination because of their queerness or sexuality. The community’s perspectives of identity are often incorrect. In modern society, and even in the past, black people have been brutalized because of their sexual orientations. Therefore, the movie depicts societal oppression against minority groups, especially LGBTQ black men.
In brief, Chiron’s role would be the most difficult for me to play if I were cast in Moonlight. Essentially, this is due to his portrayal as the character who performs the complex acts. As the film advances through Chiron’s life, it exposes the tainting and corrupting notions of masculinity and its atrocities, toxicities, and unyielding futility. The movie is not a romantic drama but a story about Chiron’s oppressions. Generally, it is a narrative of ruined adolescence, lost innocence, and deserted adulthood, which requires a talented actor.