WHEN NIGHT IS FALLING (1994) [Feature]
Mythology, theology and a racy lesbian circus performer, director Patricia Rozema (known for her charmingly funny I Heard the Mermaids Singing) explores in high flying style this heady terrain of obsession, lust and the resurrective powers of love. |
Camille and Petra couldn't be more different. One is an academic at a stern Protestant college on the verge of marriage to a 'career Christian', the other a member of a travelling avante-garde performance troupe. However Camiile's nuptual negotiations take a tumble after a chance encounter with Petra at the local laundrette, and the scence is set for seduction.
After much pussy-footing around, Camille trades her hang ups for hang gliding, forgoes her many safety nets and succumbs to freefalling passion; then the circus really comes to town as she must juggle her own desires with the demands of her miffed man and the reactions of Rev. DeBoer, her college dean-choices must be made.
Lush, romantic and ravishingly shot, the film is a radical departure from Rozema's earlier work yet retains the same quirky, off-beat humour and liberating spirit. A fanciful foray into lipstick lesbian lore, When Night is Falling is savvy and sexy as all hell.