Before Sunrise Film Review

Before Sunrise - "Listen, if somebody gave me the choice right now, of to never see you again or to marry you, I would marry you. And maybe that's a lot of romantic bullshit, but people have gotten married for a lot less."

Rebellious director Richard Linklater writes and directs this indie drama & romance starring two famous actors before they were famous. Ethan Hawke stars as Jesse a lost individual from New York riding trains all over Europe. Julie Delpy stars as Celine a native on her way home to Paris after visiting Budapest, they coincidentally meet on a train passing through Vienna and strike up a conversation which leaves them wanting more of each other. Jesse convinces Celine to spend the night with him in Vienna before he departs for New York the next morning and very willingly she goes with him.

The script is so gripping partly because a lot of the dialogue was written by the two protagonists but also because it's real dialogue that people would actually say. The film explores self-fulfillment & self-discovery through a significant other. These two themes are expressed in a way that's realistic, two strangers meet on a train, make a connection and try to understand not only themselves but the world in an unknowable universe. The scenery of Vienna is gorgeous as they leisurely stroll through parks and cobblestone streets, walk alongside rivers and stargaze sipping wine. The performances are what makes this film transcend the genre, it's a romantic film but it bares no cliches of typical romance films, there is no real mention of loving each other against all odds. It's not a Romeo & Juliet piece. They are two rational early 20's adults that know they have 12 hours and they must make the most of it. Jesse isn't a brooding loner in need of opening up like every male protagonist in a Nicholas Sparks novel and Celine isn't a damsel in distress that need's a man to fulfill her. She's strong willed, incredibly intelligent & a realist.

As the film progresses and time ticks away they begin to trust each other and intimate details aren't glossed over, they're maturity exceeds their age. There are many long running scenes without any cut's in which pages of dialogue are spoken which engrosses the audience even more because it's like watching a play, gives it a sense of hyper-reality as if we were walking alongside Jesse & Celine silently observing. Which is a testament to Richard Linklater's direction. His visual aesthetic really suits Europe as he uses the locations as a third character. Vienna is every bit as important as the characters. When you're traveling overseas even though the characters have complete anonymity they're much more open to experiences outside their usual realm. 

"Uh, yeah, sure. I know happy couples. But I think they lie to each other." What set's this apart from all other romance films is that by the end of the film the lead characters aren't hopelessly in love with each other, rather they just don't want to part ways. They want more time to get to know each other and explore the connection they've created. It's sweet, it's funny & it's a relationship between a boy and girl where love isn't the center of their universe. They don't necessarily complete each other but they're willing to try, only to be thwarted by time and distance. The ending my not suit everyone and if it doesn't I would encourage you to watch the sequel "Before Sunset". Arguably one of the greatest romance films of all time for both men and women. 5/5