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Best Film
Before Night Falls
2000
Rating: Masterpiece

Distributor: Fine Line Features
Release Date: December 22nd, 2000 (limited), January 26th, 2001 (wide).
Genre: Biographical Drama
Running Length: 2 hours, 13 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Julian Schnabel
Cast: Javier Bardem, Olivier Martinez, Andrea Di Stefano, and Johnny Depp.
          Plot: This is the true story of Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem) who spent most of his life in Cuba during the rise of oppressive dictator Fidel Castro.  It makes it even harder for him because he is a poet and writer, a form of self expression that is frowned upon in Cuba.  To add to his difficulties he is homosexual.  He fights to smuggle his books out of Cuba, and finds himself jailed for no real crime.  He eventually moves to New York where he is dying of AIDS.
picture above from movies.go.com
       Critique:  Before Night Falls is an intense, dream like journey into revolutionary Cuba through the eyes of a man with great spirit, and endurance.  Before Night Falls succeeds at everything it does.  It is a beautiful, realistic journey that delivers by great direction by Julian Schnabel, excellent cinematrography, a fantastic score, and incredibally naturalistic acting.  It is unforgettable, and powerful in its cry for freedom and justice.  Javier Bardem is absolutely awesome, as he gives everything to his part.  The supporting actors are all very stunning, including a double part by Johnny Depp, who in small screen time delivers two solid performances.
        Xavier Perez Gropbet, and Guillermo Rosas delve into the horrors of Cuba's sad fate, and the gorgeous scenery that spans it in their amazing cinematography job.  Julian Schnabel lets us feel the emotions and journeys of Reinaldo Arenas.  The mood of the film is so gripping, and so deep that it is at times hard to take, but at other times magical.  Also, instead of giving us a fact by fact take on Arenas's life, we feel the essence of his soul.  The script is smart, and wise, but demands a lot from its performers.  Luckily, every actor, or actress delivers.
        In conclusion Before Night Falls is quite a film.  Every aspect is polished, and superb.  It is an intense, real, masterpiece.

                                          review by supernothingman
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