During the twenty three years between "Mala Noche" and "Milk," Gus Van Sant made two other films that were quite above average; namely,"My Own Private Idaho" and "Good Will Hunting." His early effort, "Mala Noche," seems to play like a prequel to "Idaho," or at least an exercise piece, preparing for the main event. Both are set in Portland in the seedier side of town and both deal with assorted transients and street hustlers. "Idaho," however, has a rough Shakespearian basis, giving it more structural depth, while "Noche" drifts from one episode to the next without strong dramatic motivation.
Still, "Noche" is rich in black and white imagery, mood, and atmosphere. It's more of an artwork than other Van Sant films, and maintains its artistry throughout (still, the running time seemed to me much longer than 78 minutes).
The cast is serviceable without being outstanding, and the production design is thoughtful. The DVD release of the film offers a lengthy interview by the director, which provides interesting information for admirers of Van Sant.
Still, "Noche" is rich in black and white imagery, mood, and atmosphere. It's more of an artwork than other Van Sant films, and maintains its artistry throughout (still, the running time seemed to me much longer than 78 minutes).
The cast is serviceable without being outstanding, and the production design is thoughtful. The DVD release of the film offers a lengthy interview by the director, which provides interesting information for admirers of Van Sant.