before night fall or ( 2000 ) ( out of four ) the most i learn from the recent biographical drama before night fall be that the cuban poet reinaldo arena be persecute for be gay . base on the memoir of the same name and direct by the painter julian schnabel and whose basquiat be innovative and harrow . here schnabel be focus and artful and but can not really accomplish much from the tedious script co write by cunningham okeefe and lazaro gomez carriles and and himself . be a member of a screenwriting team of three and one would think schnabel would have be more insightful and entertaining and but instead he help construct a film that examine area of the writer life that should have be leave out and and do not achieve clarity on the issue of arenas poetic talent . this production be a major disappointment . before night fall look into the entire life of reinaldo arena and but never actually introduce a character whom with the audience can relate . the story portray the poet and novelist who be drive to homelessness and cruel persecution due to his art and sexual status . a a young man he run away from home to join castro rebel and but be later imprison and punish harshly for his work and homosexuality . javier bardem portray reinaldo arena with a believable and convincing edge and but lack the intensity and energy to bring the notable and potentially intriguing character to life . the support cast be not much help and conclude with several american actor and such a johnny depp and sean penn and with brief cameo . if julian schnabel want to examine a picture about sexual freedom then he take the wrong path . the film be not suggestive and and do not tease u with the character quaint homosexuality . instead we receive various sequence of extended male nudity . there be nothing interest about watch naked men and view genitalia while nothing timely or erotic and just graphic and explicit . there be also nothing edgy or controversial with such nudity while people be not shock or attract to film just because they be not afraid to photograph under the belt and literally . such aggressiveness exploit audacity and but the whole concept of the character be gay be do way over the top . before night fall do have a few nice element . the mood and setting of the film appear authentic and honest and although often tranquil and unsettling . the use of grainy archival footage be a successful touch . there be also some wonderful image and cinematography . i also enjoy how the movie stay focus on one central character and and there be no obvious plot distraction by unnecessary sub plot . however and those variable be not enough to rescue the awkward story while it be just not very involve . i do not care about any of the character . a shame and because before night fall should have be a real event .