Before Sunrise

Typically, this skeleton is as much plot as Linklater provides; as usual, he's more interested in concentrating his talents on observing the casual, playful conversations between his leads. His tight time frame allows the characters to say anything to one another, and topics ranging from politics to past romances to fears of the future flow with subtle finesse. The short time frame is also cruel, however, because beneath this love affair lies the painful reality that the two most likely will never see each other again and will be left only with memories--an idea Linklater drives home with an effective snapshot conclusion.

Hardly the trite Gen-X bitch session that many '90s films using this approach become, the film feels more like a Bresson or Rohmer piece, containing sharp perceptions--and flawed humans rather than stereotypes. The protagonists' frank revelations and heated exchanges flow in a stream-of-consciousness style, and its no accident that Linklater set the film in Vienna, where Freud invented and practiced psychotherapy. --Dave McCoy

This is just a very good movie. Perhaps one of the best I have ever seen. Not sure why it's rated "R". Perhaps some of the language but I have heard worse in my son's Jr. High School.

Watch this movie and experience a wonderful feeling that you probably haven't experienced in years or maybe never experienced but want to. It makes this guy appreciate the woman that I have a little bit more than I did.


Rare Honesty and Hypnotizing Conversations   November 19, 2004
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
25 out of 26 found this review helpful

In a world where characters seem to cautiously approach a tentative friendship before diving into an impulsive romantic relationship, it is almost refreshing to see both happening at once. From the moment American Jesse meets the luminous French Celine there is a soul connection that defies definition.

At first, Celine seems to overwhelm Jesse with her intellectual wanderings and yet she playfully allows him to tease her. The chemistry is phenomenal and the sheer beauty of various scenes made me realize how the simplicity of the settings actually enhanced the emotional aspects.

Throughout the entire movie you never feel that you are on the outside looking in, although I think that is the underlying attraction. I was so mesmerized by the script I felt I became each character as they were speaking. This is bliss for anyone who loves the sheer honesty of life itself. Jesse and Celine delve into philosophy, creatively describe their first romantic feelings and enjoy a spontaneous merging of the minds.

When they meet on a train heading to Vienna, neither imagine they will encounter a reality that is better than any fantasy. There is a sweet innocence pervading this entire movie with an underlying erotic tension that never seems to find complete fulfillment on screen. While the ending of this movie is more melancholy, the ending of Before Sunset is more than delicious.

~The Rebecca Review


Transcendent Filmmaking   August 2, 2002
Poindexter (Portland, OR)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I once shared this movie with several friends - to my amazement they didn't care for it. Their criticism was misguided, and amounted to something about how they disagreed with some of the philosophical points made in the dialogue, and that they weren't impressed with the youthful conversation. I don't know how one can miss the point of this movie so badly. It functions on many levels, but one way to describe it in a few words is that it depicts what it means to be young (I am in my mid 40's). You really have to have a tin ear and a tin heart to not be moved emotionally by this movie. It's really great to read all the positive reviews. It is the only movie I have ever purchased.

Again, it is beautiful on many levels and filled with great scenes and music, but let me say that the ending is the most visually and emotionally moving ending to a movie I have ever seen. I'm referring to the scene where the camera revisits at sunrise the places the 2 characters have been during the night. Like all art, one can't really describe it, but it depicts and underscores loneliness, the human soul, and how relationships and the "in between" give meaning to our lives.


Sunrise/Sunset: a perfect day at the movies   November 14, 2004
Bill (Seattle, Washington United States)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Can you think of another film and sequel that are as uniformly excellent? I sure can't. "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" are each jewels in their own right.

I saw "Before Sunrise" when it came out in 1995 and fell head over heels. Some films become instant favorites but lose their luster after repeated viewings through the years -- it's natural for our response to change as we age and evolve. But with true movie classics, our affection only grows. "Before Sunrise" is one of those. It has remained among my favorite films these past nine years, and subsequent viewings have brought just as much, if not more, delight and wonder.

Unfortunately, I've been less than thrilled with Richard Linklater's subsequent films -- particularly "Waking Life," which I thought was pretentious and annoying (despite animated cameos by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy).

So, I approached "Before Sunset" with both trepidation and excitement. Amazingly, the sequel is just as enjoyable and satisfying as the first. The tone is somewhat different, as you would expect because of the characters' greater maturity and share of disappointments. The performances, script and direction remain perfect.

These are the most European American films I can think of, and yes, that's a compliment. (Sometimes, you almost expect to see subtitles.) They are particularly reminiscent of Eric Rohmer's films in that they rely on real-time effects and lengthy conversations to tap into what it means to be human and connect with others. And in fact, if you love the "Before" movies and you don't mind subtitles, you might want to also check out Rohmer films like "Boyfriends and Girlfriends" and "Summer."

The "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" DVDs have excellent picture quality. There are no extras to speak of, except for a short behind-the-scenes documentary on the "Before Sunset" DVD. At first, I was disappointed, but then I realized that adding a commentary or deleted scenes to either film might only risk taking away some of the magic. Both movies stand on their own. They are, in my opinion, the most perfectly realized romantic films in American movie history, bar none.