Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight blew me away. 

Rarely does a movie have such polarizing reviews, splitting between both ends of the spectrum? Some claim it to be a masterpiece, a relatable look into a life of someone who smothers their identity because of a world that doesn't accept them. Others tag it as boring, an hour and a half long slog with no plot and awful acting. This disparity between reviews highlights something very important about Moonlight. If you're looking for action, for large scale drama, big booming effects or seat gripping twists and turns, this isn’t the movie for you. 

Moonlight excels in subtlety. It realizes that life is not defined by the big, booming moments, but by the accumulation of small yet distinct experiences coupled with the influence of the people that surround you. For the conflict that the main character faces, this subtlety is the perfect means for conveying his struggle. 

Chiron’s conflict is with identity, something that can't be made into a grand fight scene or a final revelation moment. There are only two real action sequences in the entire movie, yet even without the use of violence, it is still wholly raw and intense.

Another area where Moonlight shines is in how it does not shy away from the tough subject matter. It fully embraces the hardships of Chiron’s life both subjectively (because of his identity) and objectively (struggles that anyone living in his environment might face), and because of that, it manages to be real in every moment.

The acting is phenomenal. Distinct and memorable performances from almost every member of the cast. 

One thing that surprised me about Moonlight is its relatability. Even as someone living a completely different life from Chiron I can relate to his inner struggle. This is because although Chiron’s struggle is very specific, the movie still managed to touch on the profound and broad, the pursuit of one’s own identity under the pressure of a culture that is constantly pushing you to conform. 

Anyone can relate to that.
-FM

10 / 10


(Above) My favourite shot:


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