Before Sunrise (1995) Directed by Richard Linklater
At first, I tried to write a review on the whole trilogy but then I realized that it would be a crime to squeeze all three films into a single page as each one is so beautiful that it deserves its own article. So, this is my second take on the first part of the series starting with Before Sunrise.
Not as majestic as Pride and Prejudice or as watery as Titanic. Before Sunrise is simple, easy going yet straightforward and passionate leaving the audiences speechless by the mesmerizing conversations and acting between Julie Delpy as Céline and Ethan Hawke as Jesse. The story is about their meeting on a train while traveling in Europe and end up spending just a night together in Vienna but the memories of that night stay with them and with the audiences forever.
Instead of intense plot twists, cliff hangers or dramas like common romantic movies, the film focuses on the chemistry and the characteristics of the two by carefully engaging and developing the dialogue between them, revealing stories one after the other about themselves. Turning them from strangers to soulmates in just a small part of the beginning. And then they realize there is a deadline for them to be together until the next sunrise. The limited time plays as the shadow element encourages the two to get to know each other more and forces them to share anecdotes, feelings and thoughts to each other. Their dialogues are so genuine and straightforward that I sometimes think they are talking to me as I find myself in the conversations they share for each other. And yes Céline, I believe that everything we do in life is a way to be loved a little more, day by day.
Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke performances in Before Sunrise are so fascinating and intriguing that whenever I watch other films that have one of them in it, I only know them by Céline or Jesse. The chemistry of the two is just too imperative, almost tangible, so much that they do not look like acting at all. It is just two real and raw persons letting go of the secure walls they’ve built to reach to each other as they know they are made for each other.
Jesse for me is kinda clumsy but charming and humorous. He knows how to start the conversation but doesn’t know how to end it. And Céline is always there to make the last step. She is more chanting and so wonderful that she is willingly to share limitless things about herself and her vision on subjects of life. They find themselves in one another all the same despite being nothing like one another. One thing that this film does so well is that we get to see Céline through Jesse’s eyes and vice versa, the two souls intertwine, harmonize together. Despite having different roots, the branches still log into, support and embellish each other.
” Only if you find peace within yourself
Will you find true connection with others. ”
The cinematography is not the best but it does not have to as Céline and Jesse are the main directors of photography here. It’s their film, their lives, two beautiful souls walking down the street of Vienna at midnight together, making love and having the best times of their life together and we – the audiences – are just lonely souls jealous of their experiences. I first watched this film at midnight and by the end of it, I was so attached to the film that despite being less than 2 hours, the post-empty feeling of finishing it followed with me till many days after. The film is so important to me that it gives me so many valuable experiences that I may or may not go through in life, and I learned about it just by 1 hour and 40 minutes. Perhaps that time, property or possession are not always as important as we think it is, when it comes to love. Sometimes love can be instantaneous but it is very pure, genuine and raw. And by that, we don’t have to search for the meaning of life, it’s right there, in front of us. Maybe it’s not about the destination but the experience along the way.
If you are ever feeling so down and hopeless about your romantic life, remind yourself about this film as it’s the one that is going to give you high hope. It tells you to go outside, open up yourself and start experiencing. The story of Céline and Jess will live forever with time and for people who adore it, the sun will never set, it will always rise bright for you and you will find that half person of you.
