Moonlight

Synopsis:

The tender, heartbreaking story of young man, Chiron’s, struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality.

Quick Thoughts:

In 2017, “Moonlight” shattered the lavender-ceiling when this queer film became the first gay film to win an Oscar for Best Picture! It’s clear why this queer drama won, as it showed the harsh reality of Chiron growing up queer as a black man living in poverty. While the subject matter is actually quite dark and gritty, so much of the film’s story lies in what is not always spoken aloud. That internal struggle of battling against others while growing up, while also battling against accepting one’s own sexuality is a key defining moment in Chiron’s life. However, the film won also because of how they told his story. Breaking up the story into three segments, and then casting different actors to accurately portray Chiron through each moment of his life worked extremely well. However, despite being a clear-cut award-winning film, I still felt a bit of a disconnect. But don’t let my experience diminish the fact that “Moonlight” is a MUST see among queer drama films!