Moonlight

This December begins a ridiculously compressed window for the Critics Choice Awards. The nominations were announced yesterday for a ceremony scheduled for the 11th. At least we know what films to look out for the next few months. One of these films is the coming-of-age story Moonlight.

Director Barry Jenkins adapted the screenplay from Tarell Alvin McCraney's unproduced play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. The film's three-acts portray a Miami boy, Chiron, as he grows into a man. Unlike Boyhood, a different actor portrays Chiron at each stage of his life.

I. "Little" (Alex R. Hibbert), as he is known by his peers, is relentlessly bullied. His mother, Paula (Naomie Harris), is an abusive addict. Chiron's peers and mother label him gay. He meets Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer who becomes a surrogate father. Juan and his girlfriend, Teresa (Janelle Monae), provide a stable home environment. But he's also Paula's dealer. He still helps Chiron not let labels define him.

II. Chiron (Ashton Sanders) is a High Schooler bullied by Terrel (Patrick Decile). His mother's cocaine addiction has overwhelmed her and Juan is long dead. Chiron's best friend is Kevin (Jharrel Jerome). Their feelings become more than platonic; but Kevin is forced to betray Chiron.

III. Black (Trevante Rhodes) is Chiron's street name as a drug dealer. His relationship with his mother has improved. But his personal life hasn't gotten better. Kevin (Andre Holland) hopes to reconcile with Chiron. Maybe things will get better.

The cast is outstanding. The three Chirons create a convincingly cohesive character. Their often silent performances speak a lot for Chiron. The Kevins provide great moral support for Chiron. His betrayal is a tragic moment and their reconciliation is heartwarming. Ali's Juan is an excellent father figure and selfless role model. His presence is sorely missed in the later portions of the film. Monae's Teresa makes for an excellent surrogate mother. Harris's Paula goes from unsympathetic to sympathetic throughout the course of the story.

Cinematographer James Laxton's images are crisp and colorful. Everything from Juan teaching Chiron to swim to the final shot is powerful. Editors Nat Sanders and Joi McMillon assemble these images into an unforgettable whole. They can build up tension for so long and release it in one quick swoop (see Chiron's retaliation on Terrel). Nicholas Britell's score is spectacular; the songs are pretty good too.

Moonlight is a movie about being a man. It makes one think about some hypocrisies about "manhood?" How does beating up a "weakling" make you a man? Being you is a real man. That's the message. Its subtle approach gets the point across so well.