Moonlight

I often find myself thinking about poverty and watching movies that depict its affects on people. In this coming of age film we get to see a young boy struggling deeply with attempting to understand why he is different. A young black kid growing up in the ruins of America faces endless battles, drug addiction, bullying, and utter neglect. The effects of this create a quiet kid who sits back and observes, attempting to understand what is happening and even deeper who he is.

We see a variety of characters making bad decisions that deep down inside know that their actions are destructive. They have been born into poverty and reproduce the bad behaviors associated with it. Drug dealers, addicts, gangs, etc. have negative contributions to society and harm innocent bystanders along the way.

Too often people become a product of their environment. The social skills that their habitat teaches them limits their full potential. By this happening unfortunate cycles of life are perpetuated.

7.8/10

2016 Directed by Barry Jenkins