Moonlight can not be put into a drawer like any other movie you watch on a regular Friday afternoon when you come home after work. Director Barry Jenkins combines art house and blockbuster elements into a unique coming-of-age drama.
An extraordinary connection between the characters of the movie and its audience is what makes this movie special.
Jenkins renounces the stereotypical production of the milieu in which Chiron must grow up. The horror of the children's hostile poor district plays much more in the head of the spectator, than that it is explicitly banned on celluloid. Rather, the drama focuses on its main figure, which does not lose sight of it for a moment. In fact, we - the viewers - are the only ones who have access to Chiron, who is open to no one. We see him growing up, sharing his suffering and feeling responsible.
Moonlight creates an extraordinarily intense intimacy between viewer and protagonist. This intimacy is the ultimate goal and uniqueness of this movie that makes you either embrace the moment and get completely consumed by its magic - you will cry and you will get very sad and think about life, childhood, adultery and love. Or you will simply want to break out of the intimacy and leave the cinema because you simply couldn't connect.
Overall the movie is build on two very impressive non-actor led factors: Camera and Score.
The camera is kind of exploring the scene without hesitation or feat it is directly focusing the inner soul of Chiron and his ideas, fears, thoughts at any given moment you are part of his inner world and outter actions. This makes this movie oustanding.
The score of Nicholas Britell is moving in every way. It is a symbiosis comparable to Hans Zimmer in Gladiator. The Score perfectly fits the overall mood of the movie and is constantly running in front of ideas or hiding behind them. It sticks to its task: Gently pushing forward and slowly moving backwards when needed. Just brilliant in every way ( actually I am listening to it even in the car and I can recommend it!)
It is these kinds of movies where the complete work of the movie industry itself gets visible. All characters being played by the cast are incredibly well performed. Especially Ashton Sanders delivers a marvellous performance aside from the already highly appraised Mahershala Alis who is flawlessly executing his character.
This movie will effortlessly remain in the minds of the people who were seeking for a highly emotional movie with deep content and high aspirations. A truly magnificent masterpiece of the cinema and defintely worth the oscar.
Finally here is a list of the Oscar's that the movie won and I agree to every single one of them. It is highly deserved and deserves to be called a masterpiece.
Best movie
Best Director (Barry Jenkins)
Best Nebendarist (Mahershala Ali)
Best nephew (Naomie Harris)
Best adapted screenplay
Best Camera (James Laxton)
Best cut
Best film score (Nicholas Britell)
Don't miss out on Moonlight
Hope you will enjoy it!
Yours,
HubrisCubris