When Night is Falling is notable for one of the strongest and most realistic depiction of a lesbian sexual relationship ever seen on screen, and to its credit it portrays a lesbian relationship more naturally and positively than most films do, and if it helped any person anywhere feel better and more secure about their own sexuality, then it did its part and I applaud it. As a piece of cinema, though, it didn't really work for me. Pascale Bussières and Rachael Crawford are both quite good, but I didn't see any real chemistry between them; there's a sense of connection between the two only in the (very powerful and sensual) sex scenes, and since the film tries to portray their relationship as a romantic one in addition to a sexual one, I feel like it failed. Camille and Petra are clearly attracted to each other and Camille is in love with the concept that is Petra, but I never felt convinced that there's any genuine feeling between them. The romantic relationship between the two women remains a fairy-tale, and it doesn't have the realistic emotion that the film tries to achieve.It doesn't help matters that the film tries for a statement against organized religion for trying to repress same-sex relationships. The problem here is that in the same breath the church chastises heterosexual relationships with about the same fervor as same-sex ones, and the criticism comes off muddled and vague.The film tries hard to make itself memorable with some very pretty cinematography and tons of metaphors, but in the end it felt clumsy and amateurish to me. On one hand it strives for an honest and realistic depiction of a love affair; on the other it muddles it up with religious imagery and spiritual symbolism and it all feels like too much of an effort. It's all quite pretty, and the film indeed has some very memorable scenes, but it doesn't help the story or the message in any way, and it's not done well enough to make the film a real artistic achievement. For all the good it does, it stays on the level of an after-school special, rather than a true piece of cinema.

When Night is Falling is the most exotic love story I've ever watched. What I admire most is the idea of putting together two women of very different patterns and create a romantic masterpiece: Camille Baker, a strict but sensitive university professor who teaches at a religious college and Petra, a charming circus performer.I reckon Camille Baker and Petra's encounter resembles a child's first visit to the circus. All those colored and glittering lights, the clowns who make him burst into laughter, the most risky numbers make him feel odd but happy. For Camille Baker, visiting the circus is entering the tunnel of love. Instead of thousands of lights, she sees only one and she's afraid of reaching it, instead of risky numbers she is dealing with love and hopelessly tries to deny it. She is no longer Camille Baker, the conservative figure, but plainly Camille. They are just two women, Camille and Petra, an expression of pure love.WNIF is an emotional and haunting film which also gives a fascinating a insight on circus life. I express my admiration towards Rachel Crawford who portrayed an intelligent, deadly feminine and independent woman who didn't give up her pursuit of happiness.There is a chemistry between Camille and Petra which is kind of rare. They are both beautiful women with loads of sex-appeal, but they're beautiful in different ways: Camille is the sober type, betraying her chained passion by a pair of "exquisite lips" and Petra is the exotic beauty, like a panther in captivity which is left into the wild. Along with her appearance, she put Camille's boyfriend (Martin) into shadow and straight away, he becomes Camille's cat's paw in her process of denying her feelings for Petra. I give this movie 10/10 because it didn't come out as a lesbian movie, but as a gorgeous love story.

Patricia Rozema, director and writer, is a genius in her field of work. Her first film astonished me, called I've Heard The Mermaids Singing. I've watched this film dozens of times, and I can understand why it received so many awards, and why Sheila McCarthy, star of the film, is now a star of television and stage.Ms. Rozema's 3rd film, When Night Is Falling, which she wrote and directed, starring Rachael Crawford and Pascale Bussieres, won 2 awards, and is a story about opposites attract, and the two young women falling in love in spite of their backgrounds. If you are looking for an innocent and beautiful lesbian romance that is unique, entertaining, and honest to a fault, then this is the film to watch. You will definitely want a copy for your library.

This is one of the best lesbian films I've ever watched. What I love most about this film is how the love scenes are tastefully acted and filmed. In contrast, many - if not most - lesbian films leave little left to the imagination. Another stark comparison is the fact that there are no serial killers, psychotics, or otherwise deranged characters. As we all know, it's not only common but inevitably predictable that heterosexually created films depicting G & L characterizations will include at least one of the aforementioned. Another aspect I find tremendously appealing is that the women involved in the depicted lesbian relationship are anyone's woman - meaning, not mannish or ostentatious at all. The script, direction, and acting are immensely above average in the lesbian film genre! All of the actors portray their characters convincingly. The circumstances in which they come together are easily conceivable in a real life scenario. The way it's filmed is appealing and displays moments of arty elements. I am of the opinion that this is a definite must own DVD.