Save your money for something good and enjoyable

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

it is special. for Bardem performance. for dark Depp character. for the story about a writer and his stain cage. but, more important, for universal message. because it is not a film about a man in search of freedom. but picture of a world. our world. fragile, cruel, almost crazy. about prejudges as rules and law. about forms of fall in crime womb. about solitude of a poet who becomes victim of others fear. about a land who may be Cuba or each other country of steel oppression. so, the lines of Arenas sounds more than pieces of good poetry.but like windows to delicate manner to discover and present life. as trips in heart of essence of each existence. it is not a gay movie. only frame for a lot of questions, for a profound answer.

It wasn't until "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" that I warmed to the work of Julian Schnabel. Before that there was "Basquiat," which I actively disliked, and then there was "Before Night Falls," which I didn't dislike exactly, but which I also didn't exactly enjoy.No complaints about the performance of Javier Bardem, before anyone knew who he was, as Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas. But the film plays out as so many other biopics do, and it's pretty bleakly depressing by the time it's over. The final scenes, as we watch Arenas slowly disintegrate due to AIDS, are especially tough.You might need to be a fan either of Schnabel the director or Arenas the poet to fully appreciate this movie. It wouldn't surprise me if everyone else felt somewhat left out in the cold by it.Grade: B-

This is one of those films I like to call "pseudo intellectual".I disagree with Berardinelli here, and almost totally agree with Berge Garabedian's review. On one thing however I do disagree also with Garabedian: in my opinion the Direction was far from good. On the contrary, I believe the Direction to be one of the major shortfalls of this motion picture. And honestly, considering Schnabel is a painter, the cinematography, the visuals should have been much better as well.Having said that, now on to the main 'problem' with this film. As far as I can see, the material (the story) the director and producers had to work with here was first class (as were the actors). What they managed to do with it however is only to produce two hours of first class boredom. In more capable hands (maybe a good film maker instead of a painter, who would do better to stick to what he is allegedly good at...) this could (and should) have been a monumental motion picture, an epic to remember. Instead, what we got was an abstract canvas with randomly painted splashes of color that nobody (including those who praise the film, believe me) can understand. Oh well, if it so difficult to understand, it must be great doesn't it...?Art? Not in a thousand years! Skip this one if you can, it's a waste of time.

A few days ago I bought "Before Night Falls" for only €5. I'm big fan of Johnny Depp and that was the main reason why I bought this movie, even tough I didn't know anything about it. I watched it yesterday and I must say that this one is very good movie."Before Night Falls" is a story of Reinaldo Arenas, Cuban poet. It follows his life from childhood in Cuba to his death in New York. Arenas was also known for his open homosexuality; that mixed with his writing was a main reason why he was enemy of Castro's revolution. This movie is his story, his biography.Julian Schnabel is the main reason why this movie should be watched. His way of direction is amazing, and this was his second movie. My applause to you, Mr. Schnabel. What you got to have when your making a biographical movie is inspired leading actor. Schnabel choose Javier Bardem and he didn't make a mistake. Lots of people know, and started to appreciate him because of his role in "No Country for Old Men"; but Bardem's career is full of amazing roles. "Lunes al sol, Los", "Mar adentro"... Really great Spanish actor. I just cannot skip Depp. He again created characters that are great. He's here in a double role and he's memorable as Bon Bon/Lt. Victor. Olivier Martinez, Andrea Di Stefano, Michael Wincott are good and there is Sean Penn in a cameo role at the beginning. "Before Night Falls" is simply great movie of Schnabel, with strong Bardem's performance. Watch this biographical story about brave Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, who had to pass through a hell just because he was different then others.