Mala Noche 1986

Vincent Canby, New York Times: A very well-made movie, terse and to the point, nicely photographed by John Campbell and written and directed by Mr. Van Sant with sardonic humor. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: It shouldn't be missed. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Of all Van Sant's movies, Mala Noche is the rawest, most personal, and least freighted. It's the one fans should see for the simplest inkling into Van Sant's complex artistic roots. Read more

Denver Post: Read more

Mark Salisbury, Time Out: Offbeat, offhand, and at times off-the-wall. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Time Out: Van Sant would later refine some of the blunter stylistic turns into a wondrous visual poetry; his ability to capture the addictive pull of desire, however, remains compelling even in its crudest state. Read more

Nathan Lee, Village Voice: Underseen but not exactly neglected, Mala Noche isn't in the same league as the recent smash IFC revival of Killer of Sheep. But this small, sensitive, wondrously likable debut occupies a nearby nook in the DIY pantheon. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: This is a knockout debut. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: A richly beguiling experience. Read more