81.750

note to self: needs rewatch

I appreciate Van Sant's debut better than I like it. His subsequent films are just as arty, but more dramatic and have a better flow. Much of Mala Noche treads the thin line between low-key/atmosphere and boring filler with too much guitar doodle in the soundtrack. Which is a shame, because it has a decent story and good photography.

Evokes Stranger Than Paradise, but Van Sant largely avoids Jarmusch's calculated looseness and manages to meander without feeling aimless. The matter-of-fact approach to homosexuality is refreshing, as is the not entirely sympathetic protagonist. On the downside, however, the performances are not that good, especially Tim Streeter's narration. The photography is impressive, but often too showy. And the film as a whole doesn't give you enough to latch onto. It's interesting, but fleeting.

It's small and really sweet. The aesthetic is awesome, somewhere between Film Noir and MJ's billie jean.

An exceptional debut from one of the great American directors of our time.

A beautiful hidden gem from one of the great auteurs of our time. Had the privilege to see this in a theater.

Gorgeously shot mood piece with a thin story.

Considering such a minimal budget, Van Sant has definitely crafted a debut film that shows a lot of promise. However Mala Noche has many flaws that ultimately detract from it's moments of brilliance. The plot could have been expanded upon and at times left much to be desired, it was never pretentious, it just lacked a certain magic found in his later brilliant pictures.