The film is based in three parts, each representing a time, and the corresponding name, in Chiron’s life. The first part is named ‘Little’ where Chiron (Alex Hibbert) is hiding from fellow schoolkids where he is found by local drug-dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali). Taking pity on the boy, Juan takes him back to his home and with his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monáe), feeds him and tries to learn more about him. The next day he returns Chiron to his mother, Paula (Naomie Harris) and it transpires that Paula is a drug addict and that Juan is her dealer.
The second part is named ‘Chiron’ and focuses on Chiron (Ashton Sanders) as a teenager where bullying is taking place, he’s dealing with his seriously unstable mother and is developing a relationship with classmate Kevin (Jharrel Jerome) that becomes a catalyst for significant turning point in Chiron’s life.
The final part is called ‘Black’ and this is a much hardened Chiron (Trevante Rhodes) that is presented to us. A successful drug-dealer in the mould of Juan, he receives a call from Kevin (André Holland) out of the blue apologising for his actions and inviting him to visit.
I’ve waited a few days before writing this review because this is a film that deserves the time and space to take it all in. It’s an exquisitely beautiful film. It has depth, it has soul and it weaves its stories like a tapestry. The acting is great, and although Ali is only in the first part, his influence continues strongly throughout. This is a film that thoroughly deserves all of the plaudits received and I eagerly await to see what director Barry Jenkins does next.
Verdict: A stunning, gripping and sensuous film dealing with a difficult subject with beauty and sensitivity. I agree with Mark Kermode when he says ‘I doubt that I will see a better film than Moonlight this year’.
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