Rating: 
Summary: Great movie!
Review: "Before Night Falls" is a great movie. It's based on the life of a cuban poet/writer. Who just wants the freedom to be able to live how he wants and to be able to write how he wants. Just check it out.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Work of Art
Review: Before Night Falls is a compelling drama about one man's fight for freedom and self expression in a demoted world of injustice. It is a unique film with many different angles. This film makes you look at other people's lives in a different way and respect the choices they make throughout the best and worst of times. It shows you that if you try hard enough, you can achieve success. Before Night Falls is a wonderful and insperational film.
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Summary: Schnabel's "night falls" a bright and moving experience
Review: Before Night Falls, the story of persecuted homosexual Cuban writer Reynaldo Arinas, is a successful personal quest to clarify and elevate human compassion to the level of art by post abstact expressionist painter Julian Schnabel. It's a beautiful story which parallels the rise and fall of individual liberty and personal identity with the hopes and glory of the Cuban revolution. Academy Award nominee lead Javier Bardem carries the film with a performance that will excite tolerance even in a man like George Bush (either one). The photography is lush, oddly interesting, often beautiful, and the film is propelled by a moving sound track, engaging excerpts from Arinas' work, and tightly edited straight ahead story telling. There are one or two awkward shots -- minor distractions really -- in an otherwise totally refreshing and movingly human film in a season of empty banality from "hollywood". This DVD version has excellent interview footage of Arinas, and documentary materials, including an arresting tour of Schanbel's huge paintings in his NYC studio. One awaits Schnabel's next film with interest.
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Summary: fascinating glimpse into Castro's Cuba
Review: "Before Night Falls" is a compelling film that works on several different levels simultaneously: as a biography of the late Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas; as a scathing indictment of Castro's repressive Communist regime; and as a celebration of the human spirit flourishing under even the most adverse of circumstances. What it doesn't quite do, though, is dig very deeply into the mind and spirit of its main character. We are fascinated by the atmosphere and events that define this life story. We just don't feel like we get to know very well the man at its core.The film, which spans five decades (from 1943 - 1990), stars the brilliant Javier Bardem as Arenas, a homosexual writer caught in a culture openly hostile to both homosexuals and writers. One of the theses that the film posits - one taken directly from Arenas' writings - is that governmental repression often has the paradoxical effect of actually ENCOURAGING the very elements it is trying to stifle. Thus, for a while at least, Arenas is allowed to express fairly openly his homosexual nature. In fact, it is even pointed out to us that a number of high government officials are allowed to flagrantly display their sexuality with little or no consequences. Yet, at the same time, the government has set up concentration camps filled with gays and other political prisoners. But it is not so much for his sexuality that Arenas is eventually incarcerated and tortured - it simply provides a convenient excuse - but for his radical anti-Castro ideas as reflected in his poetry and novels. For it is ideas that most threaten any totalitarian regime, and Castro's is certainly no exception. The movie is so ambitious in its scope and time frame that it occasionally loses us along the way. Every now and then we are not quite sure who is who, where we happen to be, or what exactly is happening in the story. This is partly the result of Julian Schnabel's rather impressionistic directorial style, providing us with quick cuts of imaginings and/or memories that flash through Arenas' mind. The problem is that we can't always tell which is a memory and which a mere fanciful vision. For instance, in one scene, a desperate Arenas, in an attempt to evade the authorities, sails out for Florida in nothing more than an old inner tube. The way the scene is shot we are led to believe, initially, that he has made it safely to America's shore, only to discover later that he is still on Cuba. It is a minor point, but the style often leaves us feeling unnecessarily disoriented at times. On the other hand, the style also contributes a strangely dreamy, otherworldly feel to the film. This matches perfectly the rather exotic nature of Arenas himself, a man who seems to be torn between accepting his homosexuality and fighting the demons that come along with being a societal outcast. When Arenas finally makes it to the "land of freedom" as part of the Mariel boat lift of 1980, fate deals him another cruel blow in the form of AIDS. Yet, Arenas' words live on, a testament both to the cruelty and brutality of life under a dictatorship and to the strength of spirit reflected in any artist who tries to overcome it. As Arenas, Barkem gives a riveting performance, going far beyond the subtle effeminate mannerisms that define the character's surface. Yet, strangely enough, even though the film runs well over two hours and there is almost no scene in which Arenas is not present, we never feel like we really get to know him very well. Perhaps it is because, in his romantic relationships, in particular, Arenas remains such an inscrutable enigma. Apart from his sexual orientation, we often can't tell what makes this character tick. This is why Barkem's performance is so indispensable to the film. The richness he provides in his every word, facial expression and gesture makes Arenas a very real and very recognizable figure. Without Barkem, "Before Night Falls" would be much less compelling than it is. And the fact is, that for all its imperfections, "Before Night Falls" IS a very compelling film, in terms of style, performance, atmosphere and theme. Despite the dissatisfaction we may feel with the film at times, the truth is that the story itself is so gripping that our interest never flags for a moment. And if for no other reason than for the uncompromising glimpse it affords into the hitherto unexamined world of Castro's Cuba, the film cries out to be seen.
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Summary: Remarkable, but not for everyone...
Review: This film was a fantastic piece of work for everyone involved. Bardem definitely deserved his Oscar nomination. It's beautifully written and paints a moving, bittersweet picture of life in the Carribean. That said, this film is not for everyone. It takes its time with telling its tale. The time is well spent as it gives you a chance to appreciate what Reinaldo Arenas ( the real-life Cuban author on whom the film is based ) was going through in the Castro regime. Also, it spends a good amount of time on his writing. So, be forewarned, if what you want is some kind of horror tale of living under Castro, that's here, but it's not the film's sole focus. Also, if what you want is action, stay away. This film has those moments, but you'll get impatient waiting for them. Another caution is your comfort with homosexual issues. If homosexuality makes you uncomfortable or turns you off, consider yourself warned. On the other hand, if homosexual issues interest you, there's some stuff here that won't disappoint - in particular how the Castro regime dealt with Cuba's homosexual population. As a Latino, I have to say, this is one of the rare films where I didn't feel like we were being inaccurately portrayed. Latinos will find this film a rare treat, because it's done intelligently. And as an aside, it's one of the few times Hollywood A-list types didn't ruin it. Johnny Depp and Sean Penn's cameos are surprisingly authentic. Excellent film, but take an honest assessment of your tastes before buying it.
Rating: 
Summary: Serious, twisted, sad and brutal -- too long and too artsy
Review: This film is based on the life of Reinaldo Arenas, a Cuban poet and novelist who was persecuted by Castro's government because he was an artist and because he was a homosexual. Directed by Julian Schnabel and starring the Spanish actor Javier Bardem with two small cameo roles by Johnny Depp, this film has won many awards. It's serious, twisted, sad and brutal. And it's also very honest, especially in its depiction of the gay life style. The acting is good and so is the cinematography but I found it was much too episodic and the dream sequences confusing. Also, I wish the director had made up his mind whether to film it in Spanish or English. There are parts that are in Spanish and the sub-titles were easy to read, but most of it is played in heavily accented English which was so difficult to understand that I had to re-play several sections over and over again on my VCR until I could understand the dialog. Also, at 133 minutes, it was much too long and I found myself losing interest and falling asleep. The best part of the film was the archival footage of the coming to power of the Castro regime and the director did an excellent job of depicting the realities of Cuba during the 1960s and 70s. But frankly, I would have preferred a documentary instead of some of the staged scenes, which were played for shock value. It also tried too hard to be a work of art in itself. Not recommended. I just simply did not like it.
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Summary: Powerful Performance by Bardem
Review: There's a lyrical quality to this film that makes the brutality of the oppression it depicts seem almost tangible, and "Before Night Falls, " directed by Julian Schnabel, is photographed in a way that gives much of it something of a documentary feel (and, indeed, some archival footage is included), which defines the drama and adds to the overall impact of the film. And quite a story it is. The true story of writer Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem), who was born in Cuba in 1943, it touches on his childhood, but concentrates on the '60s and '70s, during which time Arenas was considered a counter-revolutionary by the Cuban government because of his writing, as well as his homosexuality. Schnabel pulls no punches as he presents an incisive picture of the suffering inflicted upon Arenas (and others) through the wanton mistreatment and discrimination of Castro's regime. Extremely well crafted and delivered, it's a film that makes a powerful statement about many of the things so many take for granted. Like freedom of speech and assembly. For as the film points out, in post-revolution Cuba, a gathering of more than three becomes a criminal offense; a group of people getting together for a poetry reading become criminals of the State, and the punishment for expressing one's own thoughts can be, at the very least, torture and imprisonment. This is the environment in which Arenas grew and matured, as a person, a poet, a writer; still, he was irrepressible when it came to his work, and managed to create and have some of it published, but only by smuggling it out of Cuba (in one instance to France, where his book was named Best Foreign Novel of the year). It's a ruthless, uncompromising world Schnabel lays bare with his camera, and it's that realistic recreation of that very real time and place that is one of the strengths of this film. But what really drives it and makes it so compelling, is Bardem's incredible portrayal of Arenas. To say that Bardem's performance was worthy of an Oscar would be an understatement; along with Ed Harris (in "Pollock"), it was quite simply one of the two best of the year (2000). In order to bring Arenas to life, it was necessary for Bardem to capture all of the myriad complexities of the man and the artist, which he did-- and to perfection. It's a challenging role, and Bardem more than lives up to it, with a detailed performance through which he expresses the physical, as well as the emotional aspects of the character: His mannerisms, his walk, the body language that says so much about who he is; how he copes with living in a seemingly hopeless situation. By the end of the movie, because of Bardem, you know who Reinaldo Arenas was, and you're not likely to forget him. The most poignant scenes in the film are those in which Arenas' words are being recited as the camera creates a visual context for them, looking out through the window of a moving car or bus at the streets, towns, buildings and people, as Arenas describes them. These scenes fill the senses and are virtually transporting; and it is in them that the true poetic nature of Arenas is made manifest. It's beautiful imagery, and the contrast between the beauty of the words and the ugliness of the reality against which it is set is powerful. All of which is beautifully conceived and executed by Schnabel; an excellent piece of filmmaking. In a dual supporting performance, Johnny Depp is effective as Bon Bon, a "queen" Arenas meets during his incarceration, and also as Lieutenant Victor, who oversees the prison. Each character is unique, and it's quite a showcase for Depp's versatility. Rounding out the supporting cast are Olivier Martinez (Lazaro), Andrea Di Stefano (Pepe), Sean Penn (Cuco), Michael Wincott (Herberto), Pedro Armendariz Jr. (Reinaldo's Grandfather) and Vito Maria Schnabel (Teenage Reinaldo). A film that is not necessarily entertaining, and at times unpleasant to watch because of it's stark realism, "Before Night Falls" is, nevertheless, thought-provoking, riveting drama that is thoroughly engrossing. And it proves that beauty can indeed be found in the least likely of places. But it also makes you realize that it is up to each individual to care enough to seek it out, and to hopefully have the wisdom to realize it once it is found. And that's the real beauty of a film like this; it affords you the opportunity to do just that.
Rating:
Summary: Bardem's Performance is the Highlight
Review: The sweltering Cuban countryside becomes a metaphor for the dual revolutions that co-exist in this film. At once stunningly beautiful and heartbreakingly deppressed, "Before NIght Falls" testifies to the power of both the forces of nature and the innate condition of the human self. Javier Bardem is brilliant as the noted writer Reinaldo Arenas, who was publicly humiliated by the Castro regime for daring to tell the truth, about his country, the revolution itself, and his own inner self. Edited to resemble a rollercoaster ride, viewers might find themselves lost on occassion by the mix of political and personal stroies, told against the backdrop of a persecuting dictatorship that has thus far existed survived beyond anyone's wildest expectations. To the director's credit, the Cuban landscape is etched with majestic beauty and pathos, at once incredibly beautiful and yet bittersweet, as if all the color had been drained from it. Bardem does a wonderful job of conveying Arena's mixture of pain and hope, first showing the support the writer had for Castro and then seeing the personal pain the dictator imposed. The prison sequences, some of which are told in dream settings, are forceful and rich, evocative of "Midnight Express" and yet intensely personal. While the film portrays the artist's reality in a manner some viewers found difficult to take, its nightmarish vision of how the Cuban people have suffered is notable. Few films have dared to delve into such challenging themes, and fewer still have gone within a Latino culture that at once celebrates its machoisms yet cheers the humiliation of its own. In some ways, "Before Night Falls" is a testament to the power of personal will and the search for freedom, both from one's politics and one's own self. The ending sequences, which involve dramatic and lucid moments of utter fear and pain drive home the message that sometimes, even freedom comes with a price (in this case AIDS.) Some audience members might find the film too harried and rushed, but "Before Night Falls" is deeply moving and well worth a viewing.
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Summary: Watch Javier Bardem's career!
Review: I first saw Javier Bardem in Jarmon, Jarmon, so I was amazed by his performance in Before Night Falls. He carries the movie with grace and credibility. This film is based on the memoir of a globally recognized writer who began his work during Castro's revolution. Initially, he supported Castro, but like many revolutions, once the hero takes over, frequently there are persecutions of anyone who does not fit the mold required by the new dictator. Our writer, sensitive and homosexual, becomes an enemy of the state and must go into hiding to survive. This film, while flawed, is a poignant portrayal of the importance of freedom to all. It is a haunting revelation of the impact communism and other restraints have on the freedom of expression and lifestyles. Watch this film for Bardem's performance.
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Summary: A Grand Visual Poem
Review: Poetry in motion, the poetry of a life in motion, captured on screen, in words and deeds. The music & scenery grab us, draw us through the TV set, into the torrid verdancy of the Carribean. Immediately, we get sucked into a shallow pit, a guajiro playpen, wherein sits the naked Reinaldo Arenas, crying out. The camera pulls back across the mud, spreading the lush Cuban countryside thoughout our minds, slamming us into context. For the next two hours we bounce & weave, in a conga line of vignettes & poetry. Sometimes the story explains itself, other times, Arenas' poetry explodes in our minds, recited in Spanish, subtitled in English, moving the story on, truth at a deeper level. Sometimes we lose track of who or what is happening. It doesn't matter. Like the victim of a TKO, we get pummelled by imagery, by music, by visual eloquence, each frame worth more than a mere 1,000 words. By the time the movie ends, we are left begging for mercy, and the credits roll by over black and white scenes from Cuban nightclubs gone by. While the political context of the movie doesn't give us a feel for what made the Bautista regime so odious, we find ourselves rejoicing with Reinaldo as he joins the rebel columns bringing Castro to power. We celebrate with Reinaldo and his queer friends in the exaltation of openness heralded by the revolution. This makes the pain of Castro's counter-revolutionary repression of dissidents and "deviants" all the more unbearable. The free, lush, green countryside gives way to furtive, gritty night-time scenes and unendurable prison confinement. By the time Reinaldo makes it to Nueva York, the idealism has washed out of the movie and only the poetry remains. As he cheats AIDS by taking his own life, his poetry echos on, the immortal logos crying his words, showing us the dirty face of the unwanted child. If some of your best friends really are gay, you will only find the brutal repression bothersome in this movie. If, however, you worry about "those people," this film will give you the heebie jeebies--but don't let that stop you! If you can penetrate the shell of your own homophobia long enough to find the passions you share for life, for art, for freedom, this will be a tremendous growth experience. Perhaps, by the end, you will find the State violence more troublesome than the love shared between consenting adults. It always bugs me when actors speak English with a foreign accent when they're supposed to be speaking a foreign language. This movie also transgresses that way. Although the dialogue is English, everybody speaks with a "Cuban" accent. While it adds "flavor," it also makes the movie more difficult to follow. Five stars for content, five for art, five for impact. Don't miss this great poem. (If you have any comments about this review, click on the "about me" link to email me. Thanks!)
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