madcardinal
Camille is a professor at a conservative Christian college who is affianced to minister and co-worker Martin. When Camille meets and is attracted to nervy and vivacious circus acrobat Petra, an inner tension begins to build within her. One gets the feeling the film-maker double majored in Art and Theater as this film is bursting with circus-themed surrealist metaphors and intense use of saturated colors. The surrealism sometimes seems a little heavy-handed, but I understand the film-maker was trying to contrast the Christian college milieu with that of the circus folk. The acting is very good and the film excels at depicting the hesitancy and awkwardness involved in striking out in an entirely new direction. Can you simultaneously reach physical fulfillment and grow spiritually by finding your erotic center and exploring new sexual possibilities? That's the question this film deals with. To the scriptwriter's credit, the professors and ministers who espouse decidedly conservative positions with regard to homosexuality are not superstitious, fire- breathing gay-bashers. There are some beautifully filmed and - by U.S. standards - quite revealing scenes of lesbian love-making in "When Night Is Falling," so if this sort of thing disturbs you, steer clear. In sum, this film works well and conveys the difficulty, awkwardness and joy of discovering new ways of being. To quote first Camille and then Petra: "I'm nervous." "So am I; I think you're supposed to be."
banshees
When Night is Falling is the most exotic love story I've ever watched. What I admire most is the idea of putting together two women of very different patterns and create a romantic masterpiece: Camille Baker, a strict but sensitive university professor who teaches at a religious college and Petra, a charming circus performer.I reckon Camille Baker and Petra's encounter resembles a child's first visit to the circus. All those colored and glittering lights, the clowns who make him burst into laughter, the most risky numbers make him feel odd but happy. For Camille Baker, visiting the circus is entering the tunnel of love. Instead of thousands of lights, she sees only one and she's afraid of reaching it, instead of risky numbers she is dealing with love and hopelessly tries to deny it. She is no longer Camille Baker, the conservative figure, but plainly Camille. They are just two women, Camille and Petra, an expression of pure love.WNIF is an emotional and haunting film which also gives a fascinating a insight on circus life. I express my admiration towards Rachel Crawford who portrayed an intelligent, deadly feminine and independent woman who didn't give up her pursuit of happiness.There is a chemistry between Camille and Petra which is kind of rare. They are both beautiful women with loads of sex-appeal, but they're beautiful in different ways: Camille is the sober type, betraying her chained passion by a pair of "exquisite lips" and Petra is the exotic beauty, like a panther in captivity which is left into the wild. Along with her appearance, she put Camille's boyfriend (Martin) into shadow and straight away, he becomes Camille's cat's paw in her process of denying her feelings for Petra. I give this movie 10/10 because it didn't come out as a lesbian movie, but as a gorgeous love story.
Hans Unger
Seeing this movie was an emotionally breathtaking experience for me. The story line and character development, the tenderness, passion and at the same time tension between the two main characters are so appealing, warm, truly human that seeing this movie is a treat every time again. The first time I rented it on video was probably ten years ago, and I keep returning to it every couple of years. The images are beautiful, the music is and the main plot theme of falling in love with someone of whom you least expect it, especially if that person is of your own gender, continues to strike me. Both main actresses are very appealing and seeing this movie almost makes you want to experience the same emotions and going through the same process. A must see for admirers of a poetic love story filled with stunning images and deeply human emotions.
frdolives
These women are psychotic. They are selfish, codependent, and obsessed. There are 3 good things about this movie. The performances of the circus troop, the score, and, I agree, the sex scenes.However, the depiction of lesbian women (or bisexuals) is awful. This is nothing but demeaning. I am ashamed that this is what is shown to the world as an example of what a good relationship is about.Camille abandons her boyfriend, Martin, and her pet, Bob. (She can't even dig a grave for Bob down into the dirt but only buries him in the snow - more on that below). These women are self centered and clearly show no caring for the people around them or what they are doing to each other. Petra stalks, shoots arrows through apartment windows and hangs around outside until she, like a child throwing a tantrum is noticed. This is attractive? The woman is Psycho. Camille is no better. She persists in lying to Martin, and placing herself in Petra's path (even after the aforementioned psychotic behavior) and wants to be "friends." Oh, c'mon. The kindest thing would have been to let Petra go on her own way. Really.One reviewer said, "These are anyone's woman." What? You have to be kidding. These women are astonishingly beautiful, far from the average, and have fantastic jobs - how many people do you know that work for a circus?OK, now for the piece de resistance: the end. Remember the dead dog, Bob? Guess what? He isn't dead. He resurrects himself at the end to the musical backdrop of Allellujah as Camille drives off with her new love in a circus caravan and leaves her boyfriend and resurrected dog behind. Absolutely ridiculous. I nearly peed myself.
AD
