Review Of Night Watch

Gay filmmakers seem to have a fascination with street hustlers.  This seems to be particularly true of European gay filmmakers.  This sub-genre always seems to tell basically the same story.  Life on the street is difficult, dangerous and unfulfilling.  It tries to suck the soul from the prostitute.

Unfortunately, Night Watch does not go very far beyond the formula.  Set during the one night prior to “All Souls” day in Buenos Aires, it tips its hat to Latin American lore by introducing a touch of the super-natural, and it does accomplish that with a bit of cinematic subtlety, but that sets it apart only marginally from the rest. 

We have the caring “john,” who cares for his trick in a seemingly real way.  There is the romantic, empathetic love scene between two young men of the street, and the affection which seems so real between the physically beautiful participants ends nightmarishly (usually figuratively, although in this instance literally so).

Night Watch is good craft.  Acting, cinematography, editing and the noir feel are all accomplished with professionalism.  There’s just nothing new here.  However, if you’re going to watch just one film of this genre, you might as well choose this one.  It is representative of the rest.  However, if you have seen others of its ilk, just put a check mark by this and pretend that you’ve already seen it.  For all practical purposes, you have.

Genre: Gay themed drama

Director: Edgardo Cozarinsky

Language: English sub-titles

Availability: DVD and streaming

99Gay-Men.us Rating: ***

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