Before Night Falls (2000)

.

The Child of Always

Based on the memoir of the legendary Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas (played by Javier Bardem) who was vilified in Castro's Cuba because he was homosexual. After his imprisonment and torture in Cuba, Arenas self-exiled to NYC.

Also starring Giovanni Florido as the young Arenas, with small roles played by Johnny Depp and Sean Penn. Also appearing: Olivier Martinez, Andrea di Stefano, John Ortiz, Santiago Magill, Michael Wincott.

Directed by Julian Schnabel, who also co-wrote the script.

Run time: 2 hours, 13 minutes

Rated R for strong sexual content, some language and brief violence.

My personal rating: B