Movie Review

Want to be transported? Then you must see Moonlight.

An oversimplified characterization of the movie world is that mainstream movies contain simple, easy-to-digest stories, whereas independent films challenge their audiences with plots that sometimes defy explanation. Moonlight is one of those movies — it seems simple on the surface, but becomes more and more complex the further it goes along.

At first glance, it’s a story about the struggles of everyday life in inner city Miami. Juan (Mahershala Ali), who works as a drug dealer, comes upon a scared 10-year-old named Chiron (Alex Hibbert) hiding from bullies in the Liberty City projects. Realizing Chiron, who goes by the nickname “Little,” has a far from ideal home life with a drug addict for a mother (Naomie Harris), Juan and his girlfriend, Teresa (Janelle Monae), look out for Little, giving him a place to stay and food to eat whenever he needs it.

The irony of a drug dealer helping the son of a drug addict whom he supplies is just the first of many complicated aspects of Moonlight. Writer/director Barry Jenkins, working from an original story by Tarell McRaney, shifts the focus constantly. The film is broken up into three sections, trailing Chiron as he changes from a boy to a teenager to a man, tracking how the people around him influence him and his decisions.

One of the biggest keys to the film’s success is an idea you would never find in a mainstream movie: Jenkins never allows the audience to get comfortable. This isn’t just because he’s telling a story about a section of society whose lives are rarely covered in this much detail, although that is important. He also leaves multiple subplots unresolved, moving away from various, seemingly crucial characters with only subtle hints as to what has happened to them.

What is at first frustrating becomes eye-opening, as you start to realize that, instead of a specific story about one man, Jenkins is telling a larger symbolic tale about masculinity, and especially African-American masculinity. Chiron is both the embodiment and antithesis of a black man coming from his circumstances, and these contradictions only make him a richer and fuller character.

The acting on the whole in Moonlight is remarkable. Each actor’s portrayal of Chiron brings something different to the table, but it’s Trevante Rhodes' turn as the adult Chiron that leaves the most indelible impression. Ali brings much pathos to his role, Harris is searing and heartbreaking as the mother, and Monae, in her first non-voiceover part, is magnetic as Teresa. Jharrel Jerome, who plays the 16-year-old Kevin, Chiron’s friend, is also notable, as he elevates the part into something particularly memorable.

Moonlight is a stunning and transporting experience, telling a story about life and love that is relatable even if you’ve never come close to the realities of the characters in the film.

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Moonlight is currently playing locally at Landmark Magnolia and Angelika Film Center Plano.

Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali in Moonlight.

Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali in Moonlight

Photo by David Bornfriend, courtesy of A24

Alex Hibbert and Mahershala Ali in Moonlight.

RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

Mark Ridlen

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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