Before Sunset (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
9 yrs. ago, a small, but wonderful independent film called 'Before Sunrise' took critics & audiences by storm. The plot was as follows: 2 strangers named Jesse & Celine (Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy) hit it off on a train. They spend an incredibly romantic day & night together (wandering around Vienna, Austria), but must part by sunrise. They then promise to meet up at a specific spot in 6 months. But that meeting would never pan out. And now, in the 'plot' of this film, 'Before Sunset' (directed by Richard Linklater, & written by him, Hawke, Delpy, & Kim Krizan), luck would have these two meet again; encountering each other on the French leg of Jesse's book tour. 'Before Sunset' is one of those films that - if you've seen & loved Before Sunrise - then it's virtually impossible to dislike this one.
The film begins with Jesse answering questions to a group of admirers in a Paris bookstore. His book details a slightly fictionalized account of his once-in-a-life-time encounter with Celine from 1995. And to his utter disbelief, he spots Celine; looking on at him as he speaks. Neither of them can believe that the other is standing before their eyes. And though he only has about 60 minutes before he must leave for the airport (to return to America), they intend to spend every second of that hour in each other's congenial company. Old feelings come rushing back. And within minutes, they rekindle the magnetic chemistry that overwhelmed them 9 yrs. ago. Every interaction (good, bad, or indifferent) would be cherished.
'Before Sunset' is the 2nd half of what's become a great cinematic love story. And more interesting than that, it's actually more melancholic than sweepingly romantic; where both characters discuss regrets. Jesse is married with a 4 yr. old boy. But he hasn't had the most fulfilling life (often thinking about Celine - hence, the book he wrote about them). And Celine, while in a relationship, still hasn't found herself; wondering if her missed opportunity with Jesse (9 yrs. ago) has made her the romantically cynical person that she is today. She's even written a song about their one-night stand.
As they walk the streets of Paris, or pore over memories in a cafe, Jesse & Celine discuss a variety of topics (both broad & specific): what constitutes the term "soul mates" - settling for what's socially/morally correct, rather than pursuing dreams - politics - religion - careers - sex, etc.. But the magic of this movie (and the 1st one) isn't even what they're saying to each other (in natural, spontaneous dialogue), but how they're saying it; and the way they react to each other in these instances. Given this freak second chance at true love - would they be able to capitalize on it?
There are 2 reasons why this movie is so great: the writing & the acting. The naturalistic dialogue is so good, & it's delivered with astonishing honesty by Hawke & Delpy. No matter what the Hell they were talking about (interesting or not, bitter or sweet), I was always fascinated by their ensuing reactions. And when the tone of their mainly lightweight conversation shifts to something serious in a late cab-ride scene, I was riveted. What once were smiles that we saw on Celine's face soon becomes streaming tears. And that transition just seems to come out of nowhere. Seamless. To watch that unfold in real time is amazing.
And that's another aspect which makes this film unique: its sense of urgency. Shot in real time, both characters know that they only have an hour or so to catch-up, confess, & divulge anything they'd ever wanted to say if ever they got the chance to see each other again. They know they are probably each other's soul mates. They hang on every word, & every move that each other gives. The weight of each passing moment is enormous ... the timing of it all so incredibly precious.
Hawke isn't my favorite actor. Delpy is not the most beautiful woman around. But they are both incredibly appealing (and even radiant) as Jesse & Celine. You can't help but pull for them. And Hawke & Delpy's improvisatory acting is so good that you actually think it's real. Jesse & Celine rarely touch & we never see any intimacy. But the romance quotient is still extremely high thanks to their wonderful chemistry. The chemistry they had 9 yrs. ago is still alive & strong; only that they've both physically & emotionally aged, a bit.
Watching 'Before Sunset' is not like watching most movies because we feel like we're the camera (in front) as they walk; an in-the-moment, interactive experience. Nothing really - happens - in this movie. So, some viewers may become impatient. But I hope they can be as transfixed & as involved by the easy chemistry & incidental conversation as I was. I know I felt them. And the fate of these 2 characters (at the end of this movie) is as equally optimistic as it is completely mysterious. The perfect conclusion. I really adore this 1-2 combo of 1995's Before Sunrise & 2004's 'Before Sunset'.
The film begins with Jesse answering questions to a group of admirers in a Paris bookstore. His book details a slightly fictionalized account of his once-in-a-life-time encounter with Celine from 1995. And to his utter disbelief, he spots Celine; looking on at him as he speaks. Neither of them can believe that the other is standing before their eyes. And though he only has about 60 minutes before he must leave for the airport (to return to America), they intend to spend every second of that hour in each other's congenial company. Old feelings come rushing back. And within minutes, they rekindle the magnetic chemistry that overwhelmed them 9 yrs. ago. Every interaction (good, bad, or indifferent) would be cherished.
'Before Sunset' is the 2nd half of what's become a great cinematic love story. And more interesting than that, it's actually more melancholic than sweepingly romantic; where both characters discuss regrets. Jesse is married with a 4 yr. old boy. But he hasn't had the most fulfilling life (often thinking about Celine - hence, the book he wrote about them). And Celine, while in a relationship, still hasn't found herself; wondering if her missed opportunity with Jesse (9 yrs. ago) has made her the romantically cynical person that she is today. She's even written a song about their one-night stand.
As they walk the streets of Paris, or pore over memories in a cafe, Jesse & Celine discuss a variety of topics (both broad & specific): what constitutes the term "soul mates" - settling for what's socially/morally correct, rather than pursuing dreams - politics - religion - careers - sex, etc.. But the magic of this movie (and the 1st one) isn't even what they're saying to each other (in natural, spontaneous dialogue), but how they're saying it; and the way they react to each other in these instances. Given this freak second chance at true love - would they be able to capitalize on it?
There are 2 reasons why this movie is so great: the writing & the acting. The naturalistic dialogue is so good, & it's delivered with astonishing honesty by Hawke & Delpy. No matter what the Hell they were talking about (interesting or not, bitter or sweet), I was always fascinated by their ensuing reactions. And when the tone of their mainly lightweight conversation shifts to something serious in a late cab-ride scene, I was riveted. What once were smiles that we saw on Celine's face soon becomes streaming tears. And that transition just seems to come out of nowhere. Seamless. To watch that unfold in real time is amazing.
And that's another aspect which makes this film unique: its sense of urgency. Shot in real time, both characters know that they only have an hour or so to catch-up, confess, & divulge anything they'd ever wanted to say if ever they got the chance to see each other again. They know they are probably each other's soul mates. They hang on every word, & every move that each other gives. The weight of each passing moment is enormous ... the timing of it all so incredibly precious.
Hawke isn't my favorite actor. Delpy is not the most beautiful woman around. But they are both incredibly appealing (and even radiant) as Jesse & Celine. You can't help but pull for them. And Hawke & Delpy's improvisatory acting is so good that you actually think it's real. Jesse & Celine rarely touch & we never see any intimacy. But the romance quotient is still extremely high thanks to their wonderful chemistry. The chemistry they had 9 yrs. ago is still alive & strong; only that they've both physically & emotionally aged, a bit.
Watching 'Before Sunset' is not like watching most movies because we feel like we're the camera (in front) as they walk; an in-the-moment, interactive experience. Nothing really - happens - in this movie. So, some viewers may become impatient. But I hope they can be as transfixed & as involved by the easy chemistry & incidental conversation as I was. I know I felt them. And the fate of these 2 characters (at the end of this movie) is as equally optimistic as it is completely mysterious. The perfect conclusion. I really adore this 1-2 combo of 1995's Before Sunrise & 2004's 'Before Sunset'.