Moonlight

HOLY CRAP ACT 1 IS AMAZING anyways here is the discussion board: The film Moonlight is split into three acts that show different characters’ reactions to their struggles and journey of sexuality. Act 1 is my personal favorite by far. This act serves to set how Kevin and Chiron differ in survival strategy to the same worldly struggle. When faced with strife Chiron takes it in silence and accepts it. I think this detail is expertly conveyed in the scene where the kids play the game often referred to as “smear the queer”. Leaving the game unnamed emphasizes the normality of these views within the kids. We get the initial look at the character types when Chiron is cornered and silently undergoes the violence. Meanwhile, Kevin is perplexed why Chiron just takes it. The differences in the boys are further explored within act 2. Stereotype “masculine” coping methods riddle Kevin's plot. When we think the boys are going to have a romantic moment Kevin immediately reaches for Chiron’s demonstrating he impulsive acts on learned behavior, further backed by his bragging about hooking up. While an emotional connection has been between them for long Kevin lacks the complexity to safely demonstrate it and this climaxes in him punching Chiron, showing he is choosing societal survival over connection. The film does not present eithers actions as a moral failure, rather these behavior patterns are the ways the boys seem to think they must handle the world. Chiron is constantly let down my authority figures and chooses isolation as protection while Kevin rages on his own war path of masculinity. By the final act it appears as if the boys switch roles. Kevin takes on the softness while Chiron hardens. This improper resolution implies that maybe the boys understand each other more but the acts of their life are far from over. This leaves the audience to decide; is Kevin a source of healing for Chiron or does he further reinforce the power dynamics that shaped Chiron’s life?