Moonlight

This is my first viewing in well over a year. First time in awhile I am going to have spoilers in my review of this masterpiece. This is going to be a long ass ride so get ready, because this movie is top tier. This is literally one of the greatest coming of age films of all time and it really does stand out. This is really going down in history as the next Citizen Kane by all means. Moonlight is literally a beautiful indie film that captures one’s true struggles, the story and screenplay captures the struggle very beautifully. The cinematography is total eye-candy, even the shaky handheld shots are okay, but as a whole, it is very pleasing. The brightness is amazing even in those dark moments, lighting wise it’s pretty spectacular. (Especially with the use of neon lighting which I love) Very noticeable how much blue is used in the mise en scene, so it parallels very nicely with the line “boy is blue under Moonlight”. Clothing, walls, furniture, objects, they‘ve all had something to do with blue. The DOP did amazing, let me put it out there. Literally a top film for cinematography for me. I relate to Chrion on a very deep level, although there’s still plenty of differences. I came from a poor background, I struggle with a form of neurodivergence, I had identity issues growing up. (One difference between me and Chiron was that I’ve always known I was a hetero) My mother wasn’t quite the crackhead like in this film but her long time fiancée was. I lacked a father figure. I didn’t have very many friends growing up, I’ve often commonly had social issues. I saw a little bit of myself with Chiron. Act I hit me deep with the poverty part, Act II triggers my anxiety to a personal level, and I mean personal, not like an anxiety riddled film like Josh and Benny Safdie’s Good Time and Uncut Gems. (Both also A24-involved) Act II is so tense when psychopathic ass Terrell is beating and picking Chiron, like “HOLY FUCK”, I’ve had similar experiences. I had at least 20 versions of Terrell in my life, All were pretty fucking wild, and I was the one blamed when I got pushed too far. I’ve had the cops called on me but it was a misunderstanding, but I have never been sent to Juvenile. Chiron didn’t deserve Juvi, he should’ve first pressed charges at Terrell for harassing and manipulating him, which pulls out the trope: What Could’ve been avoided. He should’ve had some help coping with his trauma. I should’ve as well. Chiron didn’t even do anything to deserve such a rough life. He did so little in his life and he was put through a tough situation. Because of this he becomes a drug dealer, because of how all the cards were stacked against him. The first two acts really fucked me up big time. Every time. I wish I had a Juan, Teresa (which was also my late mother’s name) or even a Kevin (I know he turns against due to peer pressure during that one scene, not the sex on the beach scene but the beating scene), I had someone who had a minor resemblance to Kevin. His name wasn’t Kevin, he had a different name. The guy with the name “Kevin” I knew was for sure not a reasonable guy, he was a Terrell, an asshole who gave me PTSD early on. Chiron really deserved the love at the endpoint, he deserves a hug after what he’s been through. The third act is where it’s slightly more relaxed. Last time I watched this was with my mother, whom I dearly miss till this day and for the rest of eternity. I’ve forgiven her for her issues. She did have similarities to the mom in this film and the one in Lady Bird. I hope my own life gets better as time goes by, after the struggles.