moments

the placement of the camera when Juan is teaching Chiron how to swim and how it's placed on the water slightly overlooking them as if a fish is viewing them. something about it is comforting and let's the audience know he's never going to drown or end up below the water in that instance. the camera floats and Chiron floats with it.

the boys surround Chiron. the camera twirls around their faces. he knows who each them are but they all become just one ongoing blur of people who don't understand him. faces that will be replaced throughout the years with others taking their places.

a conversation at the table. the camera is focused on Chiron as he finally asks what he's been wanting to ask for some time. Juan is on the left of the frame with a side view of his face with the occasional cut to the front of his face as he tries to find his words. behind Chiron is a beautiful Miami day. it's a deeply empathetic conversation and the camera allows all three of the characters in the scene to contemplate and process. i think it's the last time we see Juan.

becoming comfortable around Kevin. Kevin is the only peer to ever touch when the boys are playing in the field in the first act. he puts his arms around him. whenever they interact it seems like they're the only two people in the world despite being close to a dozen other kids. or despite being in high school. or despite being in miami.

meeting Kevin as an adult. the camera sizes up Kevin over the course of their encounter. we see him walk around, we see him interact with costumers, we see him cook. he's a confident cook but the way the scene plays out you see he's nervous. back in Kevin's place, we watch him go about his own home and it builds up to Chiron being able to say what he's been wanting to say. the movie ends on this yellow/bronze palette. the gold chain on Chiron shines in the palette.