BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)
Directed by Richard Linklater
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Indie film, Drama.
Have you ever seen a movie that left you speechless because it was that good? This film astounded me with its positive, realistic depiction of romance and the true chemistry between the two lead characters.
Before Sunrise is about two strangers, Jesse and Celine, who meet on a train on their journey from Budapest to Paris and, after a brief talk, begin to build a friendship. As they arrive in Vienna for a night before heading to Paris, Jesse and Celine get to know each other and develop love feelings for one another.
While the subject is simple, the manner in which it is told is stunning. The tale is portrayed through the talks and dialogue exchanges that Jesse and Celine have throughout the film, and we learn more about these people as a result. The dialogue scenes are extremely well-written and do not appear staged or forced. It all sounds natural, because it is how two people in love connect. Director Richard Linklater does an excellent job of highlighting the human sides of modern romance and making the bond between the two leads genuine.
Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply are superb in their performances, and their chemistry is palpable throughout the film. What I like about this relationship is that both actors manage to make it seem genuine, rather than two actors delivering dialogue from a script. The filmmaking features are especially noteworthy; the cinematography is nothing short of magnificent, as the camerawork showcases Vienna's beautiful environs. In that regard, selecting Vienna as the film's principal setting was a wise decision. The score by Fred Frith is fantastic, and the editing keeps the film moving along nicely..
The only criticism I have for the film is that some sequences drag on, but this does not distract from the experience, since Before Sunrise is easily one of the most incredible films I've ever watched. It's entertaining, hilarious, and clever, and it'll keep you fascinated from beginning to end.
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