Everything Everywhere All At Once is Absurd!

 Moonlight (2016) ….Wow what a film… If you happen to be among those of us who somehow let this film slip through the void, that was the madness of the 2016 presidential election; take a seat on your couch, wrap yourself up in your favorite blanket, grab some…oh so unhealthy chocolate bars (Milka Mmmmax  was my choice), and with a box of tissues at the ready, divest your sole attention to this must watch drama. At just 111-minute run time, this film packs a lot in. When the credits began to roll, I wasn’t ready for the story to end just yet. I needed more! The film, although really, really good, deserved at least another half hour for such an emotional story.

               The theme that kept popping into my mind as I was watching it, and long after was the all too real perpetuation of cycles that affect so many people. whether by “choice” or unfortunate circumstance. Chiron (played by Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert respectfully) the main character, finds love, acceptance, and understanding from a drug dealer Juan (played by Mahershala Ali) and his girlfriend Teresa (played by Janelle Moane) who struggles with his own conscience as he sees and experiences the effect he has had on Chiron’s life.

                Chiron is just a sad kid, who has been bullied and beat up during his entire childhood. All the while having to deal with an absent mother who is also a drug addict. The only person who has ever treated him with love and respect has been Juan and his girlfriend Teresa. And in a turn for the worst, Chiron is arrested and sent “away” for finally standing up for himself against a bully. Chiron, after serving his time, begins a life as a drug dealer. But not only that, but he is also mentoring another young kid to go down the same path. This poor guy has pretty much taken the role of Juan in his life. Even though drugs were the cause of much suffering in his life.