In Miami, 9-year-old Chiron (Hibbert) is known as "Little" by classmates who pick on him mercilessly for being different. Afraid to go home to his junkie mother Paula (Harris), he roams the streets, meeting drug dealer Juan (Ali) and his girlfriend Teresa (Monae). They're the first people to show him kindness, and years later when he's 16 (now Sanders), Chiron still uses Teresa's flat as a bolt-hole. But the bullying persists, destroying his close friendship with Kevin (Piner, then Jerome). Then after a decade apart, Chiron (now Rhodes) and Kevin (now Holland) finally meet again.

This is a bold, honest approach to the impact of racial bias and school bullying, especially in a subculture in which being openly gay is seen as impossible. Writer-director Jenkins refuses to accept silence on these issues, but he never shouts his opinions. So everything churns loudly just under the surface. And most importantly, he keeps the focus on characters whose lives are easy to identify with.

Rhodes, Sanders and Hibbert are superb as Chiron, representing three key points in his life. Each captures the essence of a person who doesn't talk much because his life is continually derailed by circumstances out of his control. And yet he continues to look for meaning and purpose, sometimes in the wrong places. All three actors have terrific chemistry with their respective Kevin, played with energy and hope by Holland, Jerome and Piner. And Harris and Ali add nuance that undermines any stereotyping.

The structure of this film is difficult to shake, since it centres right in Chiron's emotional inner life. Everything is witnessed from this complex perspective, which gives the film a compelling, urgent tone. The filmmaking may sometimes feel a bit loose, using handheld cameras and long swirling takes that kind of over-work the characters feelings. But this pulls the audience right into the story, experiencing everything through Chiron's eyes. It's very rare for a movie to so astutely explore these kinds of vital issues in America's black subculture. And it's about time.

themes, language, sexuality, violence, drugs

20.Sep.16