Oscars Preview: 30 Movies to Watch Before the Nominations Come Out!
By Emily Scott
Moonlight, Image via A24
Moonlight
What it’s about:
Moonlight tells the story of Chiron, a young black man in Miami, in three parts. The film chronicles his life as he grows from a child into a young adult. He manages living with a crack-addicted mother, being black in America, and struggling with his sexuality. In a culture that prioritizes a strict presentation of masculinity, Chiron’s sensitivity leads him through a beautiful and challenging coming-of-age story.
Major Players:
The movie was written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on the play by Tarrell Alvin McCraney. Moonlight features a cast of virtual unknowns, including Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert as Chiron at different ages. Naomie Harris plays Paula, Chiron’s mother, and Mahershala Ali plays Juan, her dealer.
What the Critics are Saying:
Moonlight is an independent feature that no one saw coming, but has garnered almost universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, Moonlight boasts a 98%, while on Metacritic it receives a 99 out of 100. David Sims of The Atlantic praises its ability to “[weave] random memories and crucial life experiences into a gripping tapestry.” In his Variety review, Peter Debruge calls it “a socially conscious work of art as essential as it is insightful.”
The quality that makes Moonlight one of the most important films of the year is perhaps best distilled in this quote from the New Yorker review by Hilton Als: “Did any gay man who came of age, as I did, in the era of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and AIDS, think he’d survive to see a version of his life told onscreen with such knowledge, unpredictability, and grace?”
Possible Nominations:
Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay (Jenkins), Supporting Actor (Ali), Supporting Actress (Harris), Cinematography (James Laxton)