Before Night Falls
Seen it?2000 | 134 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect sex.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Spanning several decades, this powerful biopic offers a glimpse into the life of famed Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas, an artist who was vilified for his homosexuality in Fidel Castro's Cuba.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Venice award: Venice International Film Festival: Best Actor. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: Independent Spirit Awards: Best Male Lead. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe and 3 more Independent Spirit Awards. Plus 11 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$20 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 107K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Julian Schnabel
- Javier BardemReinaldo Arenas
- Olivier MartinezLazaro Gomez Carilles
- Johnny DeppBon Bon / Lieutenant Victor
- Andrea Di StefanoPepe Malas
- Santiago MagillTomas Diego
- John OrtizJuan Abreu
- Héctor BabencoVirgilio Pinera
- Francisco GattornoJorge Camacho
- Marisol Padilla SánchezMargarita Camacho
- Michael WincottHerberto Zorilla Ochoa