Watch Mala Noche

Mala Noche is a 1986 American film directed and written by Gus Van Sant, which was his directorial debut. The film, which is shot in black and white, is loosely based on Walt Curtis's autobiographical novel. The plot of the movie revolves around the story of a gay store clerk, Walt Curtis (Tim Streeter) who falls in love with a Mexican illegal migrant worker, Johnny (Doug Cooeyate). The setting of the film is in Portland, Oregon, where Walt works at a convenience store, and his constant desires for Johnny leads him down a path of self-destruction.

The movie opens with Walt narrating his thoughts, introducing the viewers to a real-life Portland. He rambles about his loneliness in a poetic manner, and we see him wandering the streets at night with his dog, hanging around with other outcasts.

One day, Walt meets Johnny, who works with a construction crew, and quickly becomes obsessed with him. Walt tries to entice Johnny to sleep with him, but Johnny is straight and rebuffs his advances. Despite this, Walt offers him a place to stay and begins to provide him with food and board.

The plot of the film doesn't have an exact direction; it follows Walt, who is a romantic fool, and the story primarily focuses on his delusional world, which often leads him to poor decisions. Some scenes involve him getting drunk, stealing and trying to rescue Johnny from the police.

Throughout the film, the audience watches Walt's obsession escalate into madness. It eventually leads him to turn against his friends, steal from his store, and lie as a means of getting cash to help Johnny.

Mala Noche can be seen as a raw portrayal of the struggles faced by the lower class of America, including those on the fringes of society. Van Sant's choice to shoot the film completely in black and white adds to the film's gritty and realistic tone. The soundtrack complements the film's mood, featuring some excellent punk and alternative rock tracks.

One of the most significant aspects of the film is the depiction of the homosexuality of the main character, Walt. The movie doesn't shy away from depicting Walt's sexual desires and portrays him as a flawed human being. While the film is not widely regarded as one of the best gay films ever made, it's still a valuable early entry in the genre, especially considering the political environment of the time.

In conclusion, Mala Noche is an aspiring and intriguing film from an early Van Sant. The film is an austere and stylistic story of obsession and infrequent love, with strong characters and compelling storyline. The direction is artistic, and the cinematography is outstanding, making it a film worth watching, especially if one is a fan of Van Sant or independent cinema in general.

Mala Noche is a 1986 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.