The Power of Moonlight

After my last blog in which I discussed songs related to the LGBTQ, I decided to find some other formats that have to do with the community. After some contemplation, I decided on the movie Moonlight. Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, the film follows a colored, gay, and poor boy named Chiron (played by Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes) through three stages of his life.

The first chapter of his life, titled Little, follows a young Chiron through his first problematic encounters. The film starts with him being chased through streets by other bullies of his same age calling him extremely offensive and derogatory names such as, “nigger” and “faggot” until he eventually hides out in an apartment plaza - which is later revealed to be a crack house.

He is found by an adult male named Juan who helps him get home. After this day, he continuously goes back to Juan's house when his mother is at work in order to not be alone. Towards the end of this chapter, Chiron discovers that Juan has a business revolved around hard drugs - and that his mom is an enthusiastic consumer.

Flashing forward to his adolescence, the next chapter is titled Chiron. In this chapter, Chiron has matured and has come to understand himself and his life situation more clearly. His mom has become a victim of drug addiction and is rarely home. Chiron continues to go to Juan's house, but the film reveals that Juan has passed away and it is now Juan's wife Teresa who helps Chiron.

This chapter is little bit harder to watch as it deals with Chiron watching his mom lose herself to drugs - along with his harassment for being homosexual evolving from name calling to full on assaults. Towards the end of this chapter, Chiron and a childhood friend appear to develop feelings for each other - shining a beacon of hope for Chiron and the audience that maybe it’s not all bad. However, the next day, one of the main “bullies” in the school forces Chirons possible lover to fight him - and then proceeds to viciously assault Chiron with a group of followers once he's on the ground. The next day, Chiron returns to the school, marches into the classroom where the mastermind behind the attack was, broke a chair over his back, and was detained by the schools security.

In the third and final chapter titled Black, the audience sees a middle aged Chiron and how his childhood has affected him. After being released from prison for his assault on the other boy, Chiron moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he set up his own drug empire. It is clear to see that Chiron is haunted by his past but despite this, Chiron still has a good heart. He is a quiet, kind, and peaceful soul who is not trying to take his issues out on anyone else - but instead holds them inside where he can control them.

This chapter reveals that Chiron's mother is in a drug rehabilitation facility, living happily with no plans on leaving. Towards the end of the film, Chiron is reunited with the same man with whom he almost had a relationship with in his adolescence. After catching up with one another, the film ends with them holding each other - hinting at a possible relationship, along with true peace and happiness for Chiron.

The film Moonlight is a phenomenal film full of twists and turns fueled by a beautiful story and an outstanding cast. I highly suggest everyone take the time to watch it, however, it does contain some very mature themes that may not be suitable for all. While the summary above reveals much of the story and spoils the majority of it - there are many things not mentioned that are important and render the movie a worthwhile view.