good capsule version of what it must have been like to live in Cuba at the time

This is an artistic and visually bold film about the life of a gay talented poet and writer in the time of the Cuban Revolution. Javier Bardem is excellent as poet Reinaldo Arenas, a peasant child who becomes one of Cuba's great writers. The film takes us from the first days of the Cuban revolution to the dark days of totalitarian repression of all sexuality and creativity that is not condoned by the state.

This is an excellent film, visually compelling with a narrative flow that is not smooth or consistent, but totally engaging all the same. The film artfully and entertainingly deals with the concept of whether and how the work of the artist and the actual life of the artist and then the later artistic depiction of the life of the artist are integrated. Schnabel does an excellent job of taking on this challenge, revealing the passages in the life of the artist that impact his work. Reinaldo Arenas made art from his life experiences but was able to maintain a surreal and absurdist aspect to the writing. Schnabel does this perfectly with his short collage like film-making, that is almost dream like with its entrances and exits of characters with little introduction or resolution. At first I thought this was a weakness of the film. Why were so many handsome men coming into Arenas' life and then leaving his life? Why were so many artists and writers his friends and allies and then they disappear? The more I thought about the film the more it became evident to me that this is the nature of both homosexuality and homosexual relationships as well as the voice of dissident artists in a repressive totalitarian dictatorship. This is terror indeed if we are afraid to know the names of our lovers or of our fellow sympathizers for fear that we will be turned in by them or forced to reveal their names. In the end the film is a great achievement in the ability to depict repression and the human forces that resist it.

I admit to knowing nothing about poet Reinaldo Arenas before sitting down to watch `Before Night Falls'. In fact, the only reason I had decided to give this a try in the first place was all the hype heaped upon Bardem's Oscar nominated performance. At the time of my first viewing I was less than impressed. Sure, it was a decent movie and I was wholly blown away by Bardem's heartbreaking performance, but in the end it just was not my cup of tea. Recently I decided to revisit this film and upon a second viewing I must say that, while it still has it's detractors, it comes off very sincere and heartfelt; as if it meant something to everyone involved, and that feeling transcends the screen.

`Before Night Falls' is adapted from Arenas memoir of the same name. The film covers his life from birth till death (euthanasia) with an emotional pull that a lot of biopic's lack. You can tell that director Julian Schnabel is longing to do justice to this man he obviously admires. This emotional resonance can be attributed in large part to Bardem. Javier Bardem (who recently was able to tag `Academy Award Winner' to his name) has always been an intriguing actor, one that slips into his roles and draws the audience in. Of all his work (that I have seen, for I haven't seen everything) this is his finest performance. He truly burrows beneath Arenas and causes his entire being to fester at the surface, uncovering the man he really was.

This is of the utmost importance, because `Before Night Falls' biggest flaw is the fact that it's construction is rather choppy and incoherent, enough to really dampen ones grasp of their surroundings, and ultimately who Arenas was. If Bardem had faltered in his performance in any way then the film could have possibly been lost to the audience. This is possibly where Schnabel's admiration for his subject jeopardizes his tribute, for he tries so hard to show us everything that he doesn't take the time to flesh it all out for us.

For instance; I had no idea that Arenas was suffering from AIDS. Maybe I missed something, but as far as I could tell that was never clarified. I had to look up Reinaldo Arenas on the internet to finally understand the last few minutes of the film. I could have missed it, but that is just a small example of the bigger picture.

Reinaldo Arenas lived a very interesting (albeit emotionally devastating) life. The film follows it all; from his growing up in Cuba in poverty to being imprisoned during Castro's regime (his alternative lifestyle played a big factor there) to his exile to New York City before his death in 1990. During his entire lifespan he was always writing. He started at a young age writing poems (which infuriated his father) and moved onto writing material that garnered him many loyal followers to offset the many enemies. All of this is displayed for us on the screen, but Schnabel doesn't take enough time to really embellish and help us to comprehend all that is going on. This is one of those times when a film, although long, is not quite long enough. Many have commented about it being too slow and meandering, but I think that if Schnabel had expanded his film thirty to forty minutes he could have given us a more coherent depiction of Arenas life, and that would have actually picked up the pace for we wouldn't be left confused.

I can't for the life of me decide if this is due to O'Keefe and Carriles screenplay or Schnabel's direction; possibly both.

Beyond the confusion though, lies one of the richest and most fulfilling performances I've seen in a long time, and one of the most endearing biographical performances maybe ever. Bardem sinks so far into Arenas yet never gets lost in the films waves. He actually works to steady those waves and draws out this mans life amidst the confusion. He paints Arenas clearly, vividly and enjoyably. We want to know him, we want to watch him, we want to cry for him. Bardem is aided by a slew of supporting actors, from Olivier Martinez (who turns out possibly his finest performance to date) to Sean Penn and Johnny Depp who prove that no part is too small to make an impact. In the end though, this film belongs to Bardem, and without him it would lose everything that makes it work.

Powerful screenplay based on the autobiography of the exiled Cuban author, Reinaldo Arenas.

Arenas was a gay Cuban author and poet who was persecuted by the Castro regime and fled Cuba in 1980 (the Mariel Boat-lift) and ended up in New York City, where he continued to write and rail against the Communists. In 1990, stricken with AIDS and without health insurance, he committed suicide with drugs and alcohol. It's a painful and heart-wrenching story, but the acting is superb and there are moments of true mirth along with those of care and tenderness. Javier Bardem is fabulous playing Arenas in this movie!
Recommended!

This film gives the viewer an insight into Castro's take over of Cuba. The acting is superb. It is a look into the life of a gay cuban writer from birth to death and his stuggle as an artist in a society where free thought and speech are forbidden. The film also shows the suffering of a homosexual as an outcast in that society. Gives the viewer an insight into human rights issues in Cuba after the revolution and a "big brother" regime is instituted. The cameo's by Johnny Depp and Sean Penn are amazing.