In a year when any of three truly outstanding films could have walked away with the Best Picture Oscar (LaLa Land and Manchester By the Sea also fully deserving), Moonlight was (eventually!) announced the winner, and a superb film it is too. It feels like an old-school low-budget indie (which of course it is), but it is simply so well made and performed in every aspect. It also surprisingly echoes another recent Oscar-winner - Boyhood - with its harsh coming-of-age story told in three stages but here by three different actors, all of whom excel in conveying the very personal issues of black and gay identity with searing honesty and sympathy. In supporting roles, Mahershala Ali (as the youngest Chiron's mentor) and Naomie Harris (Chiron's drug-addicted mother) give brilliant character performances that are an absolute joy to watch. Director Barry Jenkins and cinematographer James Laxton work so hard to give the film its direct simplicity in construction and look that is frequently beautiful and powerful, and whilst primarily exploring important issues of ethnicity and sexuality, Moonlight manages to be universal and never forgets the importance of compelling character-building and storytelling, making this a truly memorable film.
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