(Part of the weekly Instant Gratification feature)


Mala Noche
Run time: 78 mins | Director: Gus Van Sant
Netflix categorization: Understated, Romantic, Gritty, Steamy, Dark, Cerebral
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“Mala Noche”…bad night….whatever language you use, it’s an apt title for Gus Van Sant’s first feature film, based on the autobiographical book of the same name by poet Walt Curtis. Shot on 16mm in black-and-white for a scant budget of $25K, the film is literally full of darkness and shadows. Within minutes, the light (or lack thereof) becomes a character in itself—scantly present to illuminate other characters’ inadequacies, hidden to keep quiet their desires (and perhaps understanding of them). Not unlike Van Sant’s later work (Elephant, especially), Mala Noche falls into a somewhat plodding, methodical rhythm that is not always entirely soothing.
We learn early on that “Walt”, a homosexual convenience store clerk (shittiest store ever, BTW) in Portland, craves the attention and love of a young Mexican patron, Johnny. At first, Walt seems hell bent on earning the boy’s love. But after Johnny’s ambivalence (we wonder, is it intentional?) to Walt’s advances and attempts, he abandons this plan and tries to buy it: sucks for Walt though, since he can’t even manage to scrape together the $25 Johnny will charge for sex. Ah, Plan B. Invite him over for…dinner? Yes, unorthodox, but perhaps it might just work! Johnny and his brother Roberto “Pepper” come by Walt’s where the former quickly falls under the charms of Walt’s sister, Betty (thanks, Betty).
Tapping into something utterly primal (and sad to witness out at bars), a rejected Walt decides to go after the next best thing, Pepper. After all, Pepper and Johnny are brothers. But after a dangerous run-in with the cops (like, getting shot and killed dangerous), Pepper cannot reciprocate the misplaced feelings Walt throws at him. When Betty decides to hit the road and become a stripper in Alaska (really), Walt is left on his own to sort out the meaning of love and lust after a very weird, bad night.
Purchase the Criterion Collection DVD of Mala Noche at Amazon.