During each chapter of Moonlight I felt sadness…I was sad for the black men that aren’t able to be themselves and breathe through their emotions. The first thing I wanted to do after I left the movies was to run to my brother and say I’m sorry, hug him and listen to his testimonies of manhood and masculinity. I wanted to know if he was able to manifest his visions of manhood.
I’m thankful for Moonlight. I’m grateful for Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney for bringing this story to life. It has opened me up and so many others.
Some of my favorite scenes included performances from Mahershala Ali, a once in a lifetime talent. I’ve grown weary of seeing films and television shows with drug dealers as central characters because it’s the same ol’ trope. However, I appreciated the duality that the writers presented in Juan’s character and the connection between Juan and Little (Alex Hibbert) in regards to their shared “otherness.” I held my breath during the table scene as Little asks Juan about his occupation. However, my favorite scene was when Juan taught Little how to swim. That was truly a beautiful moment. Later, I read that the scene wasn’t scripted and that Ali had actually taught Hibbert how to swim while cameras were rolling.
Lastly, can we just take a moment of silence for the score and soundtrack selection. I am woman who was born and raised in the South and has spent my entire childhood as well as a great portion of my adulthood in Florida. I so appreciated hearing Goodie Mob’s “Cell Therapy” and Jidenna’s “Classic Man (Chopped and Screwed) which was played in the final chapter of the film as Little has transformed into society’s perception of black manhood. Not to mention, the classical orchestra selections played throughout each chapter.