Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Mahershala Ali | ... |
Juan
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Shariff Earp | ... |
Terrence
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Duan Sanderson | ... |
Azu
(as Duan 'Sandy' Sanderson)
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Alex R. Hibbert | ... |
Little
(as Alex Hibbert)
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Janelle Monáe | ... |
Teresa
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Naomie Harris | ... | ||
Jaden Piner | ... | ||
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Herman 'Caheei McGloun | ... |
Longshoreman
(as Herman 'Caheej' McCloun)
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Kamal Ani-Bellow | ... |
Portable Boy 1
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Keomi Givens | ... |
Portable Boy 2
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Eddie Blanchard | ... |
Portable Boy 3
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Rudi Goblen | ... |
Gee
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Ashton Sanders | ... |
Chiron
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Edson Jean | ... |
Mr. Pierce
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Patrick Decile | ... |
Terrel
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Three time periods - young adolescence, mid-teen and young adult - in the life of black-American Chiron is presented. When a child, Chiron lives with his single, crack addict mother Paula in a crime ridden neighborhood in Miami. Chiron is a shy, withdrawn child largely due to his small size and being neglected by his mother, who is more concerned about getting her fixes and satisfying her carnal needs than taking care of him. Because of these issues, Chiron is bullied, the slurs hurled at him which he doesn't understand beyond knowing that they are meant to be hurtful. Besides his same aged Cuban-American friend Kevin, Chiron is given what little guidance he has in life from a neighborhood drug dealer named Juan, who can see that he is neglected, and Juan's caring girlfriend Teresa, whose home acts as a sanctuary away from the bullies and away from Paula's abuse. With this childhood as a foundation, Chiron may have a predetermined path in life, one that will only be magnified in terms... Written by Huggo
The ending is more like a European film ending than an American one - there isn't a nicely sewn up drawing together of the characters on screen ... it's more left up to the viewer to come up with their own ending.
I loved the ending - but I can see some people hating it !
The director was challenged in the London Film Festival screening as to whether he had considered another ending - but he said absolutely no way - this was the only ending there was ever going to be !
Respect.
The very mixed London Film Festival audience loved the screening - I've never seen so much applause during the Q&A.
It really is a film with widespread appeal. Go and see it for yourself !