"Night Always Comes": A Tale of Desperation and Survival

Bringing to life yet another one of Willy Vlautin's novels, “Night Always Comes” is a hard-hitting narrative of a financially desperate woman in Portland, Oregon, resorting to law-breaking to save her home. The protagonist Lynette, played by Vanessa Kirby, navigates numerous pitfalls and endures volatile situations, unfolding a dramatic story of perilous desperation.

Lynette, grappling with credit woes, is forced to save her rented house from being sold - a daunting task given the skyrocketing gentrification in Portland. A subpar credit record requiring her mother to co-sign the agreement further complicates Lynette's predicament. The story gains momentum when Lynette's mother fails to attend a critical legal appointment, upending their housing plans and triggering a desperate pursuit for $25,000.

In the face of constant setbacks and harsh time constraints, Lynette becomes embroiled in a series of illegal activities - from soliciting funds in a paid sexual relationship to a dangerous collaboration in a break-in. As the story unfolds, the increasing precariousness of Lynette’s actions raises questions about the beleaguering risks she is willing to undertake.

Despite Kirby's portrayal capturing the urgency of Lynette's situation, questions arise concerning her believability to fully encapsulate the harrowing journey of a character marred by poverty, abuse, and hustling. Similarly, Jennifer Jason Leigh’s ageless appearance generates doubt over her realistic portrayal of Lynette's weary and worn-down mother.

While the film falls short in fully conveying the raw authenticity of the characters' struggles, the script does justice to the tension and character dynamics. It unravels a compelling tapestry of individual struggles against the harsh backdrop of life on the fringe of society. Filmed in Portland, “Night Always Comes” commends itself with its gritty location choices and top-notch cinematography but raises questions on whether the film has entirely captured the lived in experiences of the downtrodden, as resonated in Vlautin’s novel.

It is noteworthy that, although the movie ends on an ambivalent note with a cliche dawn breaking scene, the story delivers a powerful portrayal of desperation, resilience, and survival amid socio-economic constraints. "Night Always Comes" will be available for streaming on Netflix on Aug. 15.