pete-596 So much of the film bears little or no relevance to the plot which is poorly strung together. I suspect the scenes of the circus performers were added to give the film an 'artzy' bohemian flavor, but it failed miserably. I believe many of the scenes were added as padding to stretch it out to 90 minutes, 80 of which were thoroughly boring. The script coupled with the acting acting of the two leading ladies barely aroused any emotions. However, the sex scenes where done tastefully but let down by the appalling script. There were too many awkward pauses which lead me to believe even the actors themselves didn't understand what message or emotions they were intending to convey. By far the best part of the movie was the musical score.

dens003 By the time I was coming out, this movie was released. It was a great struggle for years...but the film made me understand the importance of accepting my lesbian identity, combating my own fears, and embracing my sensuality.The sensitive directing/writing as well as the excellent and sensitive portrayals of Pascale Bussieres and Rachael Crawford opened the floodgates of understanding and respect for the lesbian lifestyle. The lovemaking was tasteful and everything was just put brilliantly in place.Thanks, ever since no one has ever taunted me for my sexual preference and orientation. It was simply the self-respect and subtle political confrontation of the lesbian sexuality shown in the movie that helped me become.

pamelasl Patricia Rozema, director and writer, is a genius in her field of work. Her first film astonished me, called I've Heard The Mermaids Singing. I've watched this film dozens of times, and I can understand why it received so many awards, and why Sheila McCarthy, star of the film, is now a star of television and stage.Ms. Rozema's 3rd film, When Night Is Falling, which she wrote and directed, starring Rachael Crawford and Pascale Bussieres, won 2 awards, and is a story about opposites attract, and the two young women falling in love in spite of their backgrounds. If you are looking for an innocent and beautiful lesbian romance that is unique, entertaining, and honest to a fault, then this is the film to watch. You will definitely want a copy for your library.

Russell Sweetpapers This film is tremendously human, and very beautiful. Watch it.That's really all I want to say, but the IMDb, in its wisdom, insists on an essay.While most lengthy comments truly are useful, considered and very detailed, they don't necessarily give you any better an idea of what a film is *like*, beyond what the blurb on a video box tells you. I saw such a blurb for this film and it dissuaded me from bothering to watch it until I'd forgotten about it.I like it. Other things I like are people, love, closeness. I'm white, Western, middle-aged, male, bisexual, middle-class.This is a film about people, love and closeness. It's tremendously optimistic, and it's completely devoid of the spiteful "cleverness" which seems to blight so many adult-targeted films. People rave about, say, The Godfather, which I detest, or Pulp Fiction, which I detest even more. If, like me, you find you have better things to do with your time than sit through three hours of gangster-related faux intellectualism, you might, like me, find that you very much enjoy this fabulously directed and produced feast for the sympathetic.Nothing, but nothing truly awful happens to anyone in this film. No vengeful, base emotion is indulged in the viewer, no cheapening of pain or trivialisation of death. The characters, though, are solid and believable.There are some delicious love scenes, and the plot is unashamedly up-beat. If you liked "Nine Songs", you might not like this. If you liked "The Dreamers" or "Holy Smoke" or "Gauzon Maudit" then you might like this, although apart from sumptuous cinematography it's not that similar to any of those.If you're apt to be offended by a perhaps jaded (if sympathetic) view of a Christian church, or by homosexuality (lesbianism), love, women, interracial relationships or happiness then stick with pretentious films about murder or whatever. If you like people, I think it's hard to dislike this film.