November 3, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“Moonlight” Will Soothe Your Soul

By James Greenberg 

At a time when we could all use some love and kindness, “Moonlight” is like a balm for the mass meanness that seems to have taken hold of the country. Directed by Barry Jenkins, based on an autobiographical play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, the film follows the maturation of a young black man from youth to adulthood in a tough Miami neighborhood. It is not an easy journey and his victories are small and hard-won, but there is a sense of triumph in the emotional honesty of the characters.

20151023_Moonlight_D08_C1_K1_0121.tif

Almost like a gritty, black version of “Boyhood,” the story unfolds in three chapters, starting on the drug-infested streets where young Chiron (Alex Hibbert), known as Little both for his size and demeanor, is trying to find his footing. Not easy when his mother is a crack addict and his sexual identity as a gay man is stirring. It’s all very confusing to the boy and, as if on cue, the sympathetic local drug dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali) rides into the picture, not on a white horse but a fancy car. With enormous compassion, despite his own flaws, Juan takes Chiron under wing, teaches him how to swim in a tender scene staged like a baptism, and shows him how to start being a man.

In the next section, Chiron (Ashton Sanders) is a slightly built and painfully shy high school student, subjected to the bullying of the school thugs. At the same time, his friendship with Kevin (Jharrel Jerome) grows and they share a rare moment of intimacy that will change both of their lives. Finally, Chiron is pushed beyond his breaking point and erupts, attacking his tormentors. For this he is taken off in a police car as the chapter ends.

Out of jail and back on the streets, the grown up and bulked up Chiron (Trevante Rhodes), has taken on the identity of his early role model Juan. He drives the same kind of car, wears metal fronts on his teeth, and has become a drug dealer in Georgia. It’s not much of a life but it’s the only one he knows how to live. However, when he has a tearful reunion with his mother (Naomie Harris), who is now doing better in a rehab center, there is a crack in Chiron’s armor; he longs to connect with another person.

That leads him back to Florida to his boyhood friend Kevin (André Holland), the one person he has always loved and trusted. And that is something you don’t have to be black or poor or gay to understand. Jenkins has given his characters a full measure of humanity, and the splendid actors breathe life into these people. “Moonlight” is personal filmmaking at its best, and a terrifically moving American story.

Related Posts

5 Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Succeed in the Gaming Industry

October 15, 2024

October 15, 2024

Gaming is one of the most competitive industries in the world. For entrepreneurs, this industry offers many opportunities but also...

8 Places to Spend Crypto in LA

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

Los Angeles is a vibrant city known for its innovative spirit, and as cryptocurrencies gain traction, many local businesses are...

The Best Sites Where You Can Buy TikTok Followers

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

TikTok has been popular as a social media platform with its creativity and popularity. Since it’s the case, many of...

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...