Mala Noche (Bad Night) (1986)
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95% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(1,811 ratings)
The debut film of director Gus Van Sant, this independent, low-budget comedy-drama based on an autobiographical novel by Walt Curtis was produced on black-and-white 16 mm film for only $25,000. Tim Streeter stars as Walt, the manager of a seedy liquor store in Portland, OR. Walt, who is gay, has… More The debut film of director Gus Van Sant, this independent, low-budget comedy-drama based on an autobiographical novel by Walt Curtis was produced on black-and-white 16 mm film for only $25,000. Tim Streeter stars as Walt, the manager of a seedy liquor store in Portland, OR. Walt, who is gay, has fallen desperately in love with Johnny (Doug Cooeyate), a teenage illegal Mexican immigrant who doesn't speak English. Although Johnny is utterly unaffected by Walt's attentions, the boy does agree to sleep with his suitor for $25, but Walt can't come up with the cash. Introduced to Walt's sister Betty (Nyla McCarthy), it becomes clear that Johnny prefers her romantic company. Walt settles for Johnny's best friend Roberto Pepper (Ray Monge), becoming the boys' protector and patron, teaching them how to drive and trying to learn Spanish, despite their cruel indifference toward him. After Roberto is killed by the police, however, Johnny disappears and Betty moves to Alaska to become an exotic dancer, leaving a broken-hearted, lonely, but none the wiser Walt behind. Despite the fact that Mala Noche (1987) was a hit on the festival circuit, even winning Best Independent Film from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, it was released theatrically only after the success of Van Sant's next film, Drugstore Cowboy (1989). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gus Van Sant
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 2007 Wide
- Studio
- Janus Films
Critic Reviews
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Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Even at the start of his career, Van Sant has always been an artist who has savored the bittersweet pleasure of sadness and pain.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Of all Van Sant's movies, Mala Noche is the rawest, most personal, and least freighted. It's the one fans should see for the simplest inkling into Van Sant's complex artistic roots.
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Melissa Anderson, Time Out New York
Van Sant would later refine some of the blunter stylistic turns into a wondrous visual poetry; his ability to capture the addictive pull of desire, however, remains compelling even in its crudest state.
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Nathan Lee, Village Voice
Underseen but not exactly neglected, Mala Noche isn't in the same league as the recent smash IFC revival of Killer of Sheep. But this small, sensitive, wondrously likable debut occupies a nearby nook in the DIY pantheon.
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Mark Salisbury, Time Out
Offbeat, offhand, and at times off-the-wall.
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Cast
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Tim Streeter
as Walt Curtis
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Doug Cooeyate
as Johnny
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Ray Monge
as Roberto Pepper
- Robert Lee Pitchlynn
- Eric Pedersen
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Nyla McCarthy
as Betty
- Sam Downey
