Movie Analysis Essay on Moonlight

Introduction

Moonlight is a 2016 American drama film directed by Barry Jenkins. The movie falls into the coming of age drama film category as it narrates the life of Chiron, the main character, as he grows up. The film is about his journey to manhood and the challenges he faces as well as the support from the and compassion of the community he grows up. The film has portrayed several sexualities but of interest is homosexuality. My choice of picking this aspect of sexuality from the movie is that the main character is black and not girly, which is different from what anyone would expect of a homosexual. This essay seeks to expound on homosexuality in the film Moonlight.

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In the film, the Chiron comes across as a homosexual. The first incidence in the film where we learn of Chiron sexuality is when he is referred to as faggot at school. In the scene where he converses with Juan, he asked how he can know whether he is gay. Later in the film, Chiron gives Kevin a hand-job and walk around holding hands. Sexual affection towards men can be seen when he tells Kevin that he is the only person who has ever been intimate with and had not had such an encounter ever since. The film challenges the stereotype of gay communities in that it presents a homosexual character that has the traditional masculinity. Chiron does not wear fancy clothes and is rough and muscular while being attracted to men. Moreover, unlike other films that depict the gay community as having smooth upbringing, Chiron grows in a tough and poor neighborhood. One characterized by physical violence and discrimination.

Rudy (2016) highlighted one of the stereotypes associated with gay men is that they are feminine. The author notes that people identify gay men as ones that would express themselves through speech, dressing, and behaviors that are traditionally "feminine." This arises from the societies assumption that such men are gay. However, in the film Moonlight, Chiron is seen as challenging this stereotype. Rudy (2016) raises several other key characteristics associated with homosexuals. He notes that most have separated from their blood families and seem to approach friendship with a certain level of self-consciousness and determination. Such an individual will appear to gather in a chosen network of people to nurture and care for them. In Moonlight, we observe that Chiron has had arguments with his drug-addicted mother, who has deserted him. She does not offer him love and has a cut off her the relationship with him. He, however, does not visit gay bars, nor does he have a social support place he goes. Few-Demo (2016) supports the assertion and notes that the level of acceptance of homosexuality offered by parents and siblings is minimal, and gay men are universally isolated from their immediate family. The author further noted that some gay men may not necessarily frequent these bars or join a social group because their social networks may differ (Few-Demo, 2016).

The role of society in relation to homosexuality has also been highlighted in the film. The lack of community support has been documented to have serious effects on homosexual individuals. The attitudes can lead to rejection by peers, violence, discriminatory acts, as well as isolation (Herek, 2007). The effect of experiences of discrimination, stigmatization, and homophobia can affect the income of such persons. This is so because of the hardship they experience getting a job. Moreover, their access to health care is limited in thus cannot have adequate quality health care responsive to their health issues. Homosexuals subjected to such discrimination eventually develop poor mental health and poor coping skills such as substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, and suicide attempts (Herek, 2007). In the film, Chiron is bullied by his bullies at school. The movie depicts the struggle to fit into society. The movie, however, shows the support he receives from Juan and Kevin. Juan has a profound and lasting effect on Chiron's life. Juan is the first person that Chiron opens up to about his sexuality. At the particular scene, where Chiron asks about whether he is faggot, Juan responds with a "no." Juan tells him that some he is young to decide affirmatively, and in the future, he will decide. Juan kindness and acceptance to Chiron seeks to show how society should react to a homosexual person. At this point, Chiron is already burdened with his sexuality, and Juan needs not to stigmatize him. Juan offers him a place to sleep and provides him with the emotional support that he desperately needs. Though Kevin, who has several intimate incidents with Chiron, later moves on, he offers key support to him. The supportive links offered by Juan and Kevin influenced his life and strategic adaptation.

Conclusion

The essay has expounded on how homosexuality has been portrayed in the film. It has examined how different aspects of homosexuality align with literature. The film was successful in how it portrayed homosexuality and helped overcome stereotypes. The film helped me overcome the notion that gay is feminine in character. Moreover, Juan is a good example of how I would support a gay friend by being caring and compassionate of them.

References

Few-Demo, A. L., Humble, A. M., Curran, M. A., & Lloyd, S. A. (2016). Queer Theory, Intersectionality, and LGBT-Parent Families: Transformative Critical Pedagogy in Family Theory. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 8(1), 74-94. doi:10.1111/jftr.12127

Herek, G. M., (2007). Confronting Sexual Stigma and Prejudice: Theory and Practice. Journal of Social Issues, 63(4), 905-925. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00544.x

Rudy, R., (2016). The Depiction of Homosexuality in American Movies. Jurnal Humaniora, 28(1), 59. doi:10.22146/jh.v28i1.11502