Moonlight
Blu-ray
Review
by Kam Williams
Homoerotic
Bildungsroman Dramatizes Perils of Growing Up Gay in the 'Hood
It isn't
bad enough that Chiron (Alex R. Hibbert/Ashton Sanders/Trevante
Rhodes) is being raised by an emotionally-unavailable, drug-addicted,
single-mom (Naomie Harris). The shy youngster also has the misfortune
of having to hide the fact that he's gay, since he's experiencing
pangs of sexual awakening in the midst of an African-American, ghetto
culture which is homophobic to the point of violence.
Consequently,
he finds himself not only being teased for being a "faggot"
by a school bully (Patrick Decile) but sadistically beaten to a pulp
by his best friend and secret lover, Kevin (Jaden Piner/Jharrel
Jerome/Andre Holland). This sorry state of affairs has understandably
left the closeted kid terribly confused.
Fortunately,
Chiron's mom's dealer, Juan (Mahershala Ali), and his wife, Teresa
(Janelle Monae), have taken a personal interest in his welfare. They
let Chiron crash at their crib whenever things get crazy at his
dysfunctional mom's apartment. So, at least he has a father figure,
even if it's the person pushing the poison that turned his mother
into an irresponsible crack whore.
Such are
the dire circumstances collaborating to torpedo the troubled
protagonist's potential in Moonlight, a homoerotic coming of age
flick written and directed by Barry Jenkins (Medicine for
Melancholy). nominated for 8 Oscars, including Best Picture,
Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) and
Supporting Actress (Naomie Harris), the introspective mood piece
follows the lead character's evolution from age 9 into adulthood,
with Chiron and Kevin each being played by a trio of different
actors.
The picture
convincingly conveys the sheer desperation of an abandoned street
urchin searching for an oasis of sanity in a hostile world without
refuge. Though this picture never offers any easy answers, it
certainly will nevertheless resonate with countless black gays who've
survived similar abuse during formative years spent negotiating their
way through a merciless, macho, inner-city gauntlet
A
decidedly-dystopic perspective of growing up gay in the 'hood.
Excellent (4
stars)
Rated R for
sexuality, drug use, pervasive profanity, ethnic slurs and graphic
violence
Running time: 111 minutes
Studio: Plan B Entertainment
Distributor: Lionsgate Home
Entertainment
Blu-ray Extras: Audio commentary
with writer/director Barry Jenkins;
Ensemble of Emotion: The Making of Moonlight; Poetry through
Collaboration: The Music of Moonlight; and Cruel Beauty: Filming in
Miami.
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