Night Has Settled

Set in New York City, circa 1983, Night Has Settled features an unmistakable Less Than Zero-vibe of youthful self-destruction set against a seemingly limitless, no-consequences, go-go cultural moment. Except, in this case, the youth are younger—teenagers—and the film's anti-hero is barely even that. Thirteen-year-old Oliver (Spencer List) attends a buttoned-down prep school where he and his mates are brushed off by the principal, despite being holy terrors. At home, things are just as lax: living with his divorced mother, Luna (Pilar López de Ayala), Oliver sees her more as a confidante, one who sets no rules about anything, whether it's tobacco, his sexual activity with a girlfriend, or inappropriate conversations. It's little wonder that Oliver is so powerfully drawn to 65-year-old Aida (Adriana Barraza), a housekeeper who gives him unconditional love, along with some expectations and clear messages about right and wrong behavior. Written and directed by Steve Clark, the film finds Oliver—right on the cusp between childhood and adolescence—desperate for Aida's approval and maternal gravity, which she freely gives with a hint of deep concern about Oliver's need for guidance. But things change when Aida has a stroke and is hospitalized, leaving Oliver with no moral anchor. Being a film about kids engaged in decadent behavior, Night Has Fallen certainly has uncomfortable moments, but as a story about a boy trying to gain his bearings before destroying himself, it is often poignant. Recommended. (T. Keogh)