When Night Is Falling (1995)

Vaguely familiar; all through the movie, I could have sworn that I had seen it before on late-night HBO or Cinemax while trolling for nudity as a teenager. But looking at its release year, I'm kind of doubting it. Still, this dreamy bit of 90s erotica feels like the kind of movies I was watching on pay cable late at night, after I was sure everyone else in the house was asleep. It's a Canadian film - I can tell because of the presence of Don McKellar (also it ends with a Leonard Cohen song). Pascale Bussieres plays a professor at a Christian college in Toronto. She meets up with circus performer Rachael Crawford at a laundromat. Crawford is instantly attracted to her and makes sure they are to meet again and, upon that next meeting, makes no bones about her intentions. Bussiere is intrigued, but, as a Christian, one who is engaged to be married, no less (to Henry Czerny), she initially resists. She's never met anyone else like Crawford, though, and the intrigue and excitement soon melt her defenses. Man, this film is HOT. There really isn't much sex, but when they get to it, it's blistering. Rozema builds it up just right. While, in its essence, When Night Is Falling is basically softcore porn, it is impressively artful. The circus performances in particular are great, and Crawford's costumes are awesome. The performances are pretty good, too. The writing isn't especially strong. The climax in particular is silly and relies on a ridiculous coincidence - not to mention an especially silly plot development that plays out in short snippets during the credits. I really liked the film, though. Definitely recommended.

I saw this in the Cinema when it first came out. I didn't know what to expect, I just saw this sensual looking movie poster and decided to go. I was not disappointed, in fact I was enthralled by the lushness of this most beautiful film. Simply put;a love story. The Protagonist, Camille is a Theologian, a Teacher of Mythology. Seemingly happy with her life pretty much mapped out. A handsome boyfriend, a tidy well kept life, a formal career within a religious school. Her world is shaken up by a chance meeting in a laundromat, with of all people a circus performer, Petra. What follows is Camille re-evaluating her life and her loves, the backdrop for her journey is the eclectic, vibrant, theatrical circus. Giving the viewer giddily beautiful scenes, from juggling orbs of light, to romantic interludes, amongst rich theater drapes. This movie took my breath away, I saw it 5 times in that cinema, then followed it to another one, when the run finished. In essence this film made it easier to come to terms with my own sexuality, because of that it will always have a special place in my heart.

Excellent cinema... It's like a metaphorical exploration of what can happen when you least expect it and most need it. Camille finds this love and it's like finding money you've thought was lost; you rediscover yourself. Nothing is more precious than finding that you are every wonderful thing you always hoped you were. Petra is a gorgeous, unreal, ephemeral being that transcends physical knowing, she is pleasure and self confidence, notice how she balances herself in the air? She is the temptress that seeks to reinforce the new knowledge of self. There is no sin, here, and to suppose such a thing is silly. The Christian context serves to conflict the message ( how telling, Christianity is apparently more at odds with God than atheism/paganism)that nothing is wrong with love.To the other post-makers: please be kind to each other.

I have seen this movie multiple times over the past several years, and it continues to be one of my absolute favorites.The story may have a hole here and there, and maybe the protagonists are not totally realistic (as some other reviewers have pointed out). However, that is really beside the point. You should see it because it is full of beautiful images, the characters are engaging, the lovemaking is truly steamy, and mostly because it is unabashedly, head-over-heals, romantic. Even the most ornery skeptic has to give in to the celebration of love portrayed by Ms. Crawford and Ms. Bussieres. It is rare for a movie to be truly erotic, and even rarer to stay sweet and gentle. When Night is Falling manages both these things.See it by yourself, or, even better, with someone you love.