Overview
After the acclaim, the hype and the outrageous Oscar mix-ups, the chance to see for itself Barry Jenkins’ extraordinary drama, which is thoroughly deserving of all its accolades. Growing up in 1980s Miami, Chiron (Ashton Sanders) is different from the other kids at school. Neglected by his junkie mother (Naomie Harris), he turns to Juan (Mahershala Ali), a local drug lord, for lessons in life and love. Journeying across three time periods, we go on to witness key moments in the formation of Chiron’s masculinity and how in turn, these moments come to define his sexuality.
Famously awarded the Best Picture Oscar only after an egregious envelope mix-up with the team behind La La Land, Jenkins intoxicating film adapts Tarell Alvin McCraney play ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue’ with a subtlety and restraint that earns genuine emotional power. Consistently surprising and brimming with formal invention, from camera movement to the richly evocative imagery, it’s an arresting breakout work from a filmmaker with rich promise. Ranked joint 60th in the 2022 Sight and Sound Great Films of All Time poll.
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