'The Last Tree (2019)' is certainly coloured in shades of 'Moonlight (2017)', taking inspiration from that award-winning flick in its story, structure, aesthetic and, even, final moments. It isn't some kind of 'rip-off', though; the similarity between the two texts is, essentially, circumstantial. This piece has its own distinct identity, telling a tale that's often left untold in a relatively bold and stylistic way. Sometimes, the very 'indie' nature of the production becomes rather evident. There are some movements in which the generally good performances aren't quite as refined as usual and a few directional choices don't pay off as well as you'd expect. Still, the film is typically confident and compelling. The narrative does feel kind of 'basic', I suppose, but it also touches on some themes that are rarely touched upon at all - such as the effect, and even existence, of shadeism, for example. Occasionally, it does accidentally conflate race with class and perceived quality of life, but I suspect that writer-director Amoo is just trying to reflect the world as he sees it and he's not wrong for doing so. The protagonist's journey is believable and engaging, providing several genuinely enjoyable scenes. There are times when it evokes the kind of nostalgia that seldom fails to tug at one's heart. Of course, it has its share of nastier sequences, too. Everything is quite subtle, relying on a gritty, realist tone that makes even the mundane seem impactful. Towards the end, the movie takes a slight detour and the pacing really slows. The content of this finale is good but it just feels 'tacked on', in a way, and takes you out of the flick's flow. It's not a massive deal, though. The experience is entertaining at large and succeeds in what it's trying to do. It's not brilliant, as it never reaches the levels of impact needed to glue you to your seat, but it's good enough. It's a decent effort. 6/10
