Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

2 months ago we were in Cuba.... I wanted to watch this film hoping to see some of the parts of the Cuba and remember my memories... But, I stop seeing the film at 48. minutes since I found the movie very anti-revolutionary :( Can one expect the opposite from a US film? Film just focused on gay issues and try to show the socialism bad! Can anybody tell that capitalism is very nice? Very good for all levels of people? or defense capitalism? Pls try to learn the system in Cuba. Still making films to show the socialism bad is funny and doesn't give to me good feelings about the director and the producers. As a second point, it's very disturbing -- in the film -- that Cuban in Cuba speak English!!! WHY??!?!? This frequently happens in many films which disturbs me too much and causes me to stop seeing the film. I'm not sure if the following is spoiler? I don't think so. I'm not against the gays of course, i know that they born that way, but we watched many films on gays.. I personally don't want to see them kissing and having sex. This is just the capitalism do; continuously making this kind of movies, etc..

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-

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.

The true story of homosexual Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem) the film charts his eventful and troubled life attempting to do what he loves best in a 1960's Cuba where the regime brand him a counter revolutionary and traitor. Starting from his humble beginnings in a small village, his later life in the city where he befriends other homosexuals, writers and poets which leads to imprisonment and torture to the last part of his life in New York.Javier Bardem is believable and excellent in the lead, Johnny Depp is also very competent in his dual roles and Sean Penn makes a decent cameo appearance. The cinematography is top notch, direction impeccable and score complements each scene well making them atmospheric and moving. Throughout we hear snippets of the writers poetry and musings which add to the emotionally charged nature of the film. A tender and well shot story of an important figure in Cuban literature, well worth seeing.