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Mala Noche

Mala Noche

1986
Drama
1h 18m
Based on the Walt Curtis autobiographical novel of the same name, Mala Noche is a story of amour fou. (imdb)
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Mala Noche

1986
Drama
1h 18m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 56.28% from 238 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(238)
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Compact view
Rated 13 Jan 2009
68
23rd
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.
Rated 20 Sep 2008
80
78th
A beautiful hidden gem from one of the great auteurs of our time. Had the privilege to see this in a theater.
Rated 10 Oct 2013
99
96th
I'm a sucker for lo-fi production values used to artistic effect. A nice meditation on American borders- of all kinds.
Rated 25 Feb 2013
5
80th
Feels like someone took a Burroughs novella and shook 99% of the prose, drugs, and counterculture spirit out of it. What's left is still pleasantly downbeat.
Rated 29 Sep 2011
60
54th
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.
Rated 30 Jun 2008
90
83rd
An exceptional debut from one of the great American directors of our time.
Rated 26 Oct 2009
50
14th
Gorgeously shot mood piece with a thin story.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
81
71st
note to self: needs rewatch
Rated 07 Oct 2013
83
75th
83.000
Rated 30 Aug 2011
73
77th
It's small and really sweet. The aesthetic is awesome, somewhere between Film Noir and MJ's billie jean.
Rated 07 Aug 2013
80
37th
I love the visuals of this one. Beautiful and dingy black and white photography. The other parts don't excite me quite as much, but definitely worth viewing.
Rated 26 Dec 2010
82
71st
81.750
Rated 23 Apr 2011
67
30th
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.
Rated 21 Aug 2021
70
56th
Otherworldly B&W photography. Living in the shadows of society.

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