I've wanted to see this for quite a number of years as I am admirer of a number of Gus Van Sants films, but now that I have finally and belatedly seen it, I don't quite get the appeal of this. The lead, Tim Streeter, appears to be a natural for film and he is very good, but he just disappeared after two more minor credits. I gather acting was just not his thing. He plays a most sympathetic and likable character and is the essence of this film that is not particularly pleasant. He portrays a grungy kind of young man trying to help two Mexicans, one who he falls in love with, who do just about nothing but cause him harm. I found this primitive film to be a not very pleasurable or in any way a positive experience. I did care for the lead character, but his sense of logic and caring is lost on me. It's not without some interest as an experimental first film, but it was a hurtful thing to view. I moved to Portland 18 years after this was filmed and barely recognized a thing. How quickly things change. As a first film it has some merit, but it also doesn't really seem to have a point.
Review of Mala Noche
