Before Sunset
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.49 You Save: $17.47 (88%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.35 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Before Sunset
Movie Review: Brilliant Linklater Elevates the Cinematic Experience...
Summary: 5 Stars
Almost a decade later two adrift souls reconnect after a literature soirée at one of Paris' infamous bookshops where cats and coffee belong to the mystique. These two individuals are Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) who now are wiser and simpler while their lives have actually become more complex. Despite the complications in their lives, their reunion awakens old emotions from a day in Vienna some nine years ago when they toured the city and each other. This time they only have a mere 60 minutes, as Jesse has to fly back to the United States like he did 9 years ago. With no time to lose they begin to converse, as no time has passed since last. Yet, both feel the pressure of time constraints, as they feel time breathing down their neck. This anxiety is caused by the ticking of time while they know that can only say so much, and they must wisely choose what to say.
Interestingly the story brings the audience through a short verbal venture that recaps what has happened to them during the time between now and when they were supposed to have met in Vienna after their first encounter. Through their personal narrations of what they have been up to, feelings and personal thoughts seep through the walls of tension that they both try to keep up in order to protect themselves and their presence. As the minutes evaporate, personal concerns filter through cerebral stress and anxiety that rests on a limited foundation of expiring time. An emotional distillation of verbal expression concentrates on what is important, yet they repress any emotional outburst, as they lean on their social and personal values. This becomes a balancing act between fear and desire, as they both care for one another they do not want to offend the other, yet they desire to tell what is eating them inside.
Delpy and Hawke perform in a brilliant manner, as they depict a delicate balancing act between what they desire and fear of loosing - each other. The director Richard Linklater depicts the meeting with intense verbal outlet and touching delicacy where the honesty of words are covered in a jumble of emotion that confuses and bewilders both. This is where the true brilliance of the film rests, as Linklater captures the essence of the reunion. They desire each other, yet cannot say, as fear of possible pain that could visit them again if sudden erotic feelings were expressed. Visualized pauses and awkward silence illustrates the duality of the moment where genuine emotion and logic crashes into the wall of apprehensive tension. Nonetheless, random moments of Freudian feelings pop up without warning, which lightens up the mood between Celine and Jesse. These moments depict the subconscious ability to surprise where repressed honest feelings infiltrate the anxious consciousness.
Throughout the film Celine and Jesse seem to be on the move while knowing of the near impending separation. This constant movement provides a visual unrest that enhances the lovelorn anxiety within the story, which also transfers genuine empathy for the characters. Cleverly, Linklater captures the unrest, as they walk, travel by car and boat, and feel that they must gain as much as possible from their limited time together. Simultaneously, there is an internal struggle within one of them, which seems to want to depart in fear of experiencing the same pain again. Yet, they hold onto the moment while learning more about each other's pain and suffering.
There is a continuous level of serenity within the story that Linklater captures by filming the story of a summer evening in the Paris sun. The friendly atmosphere between Celine and Jesse combined with the easy flow of the camera from location to location without any sudden movement helps to induce this tranquility. The calmness within the story suggests that there is something special going on between Celine and Jesse, but maybe it is too late, as they already have their lives in Paris and New York. Nonetheless, the unbroken serenity provides a notion of something special, yet it also seems as if this calmness stirs up strong emotional currents from the past, which could be very hurtful. The story does not provide any climatic moments. It merely continues, as the clock keep ticking pressuring them about the expiring time.
Before Sunset is a wonderful film about moments and opportunities in the light of signs and symbols that offer a chance to see the truth--the truth of what one wishes and desires while time rapidly warns that there is no time to loose. An inner voice whispers, carpe diem, while logic tells one to ponder the long term effects. This occurs while wisdom offers a middle path where one should follow one's own heart without listening to fear, or temporary pleasure. All of this is shrewdly tailored in a cinematic experience that takes brilliant consideration to script, cinematography, performances, and mise-en-scene, which in the end presents truly great cinematic experience.
Movie Review: Delicate, richly layered and BELIEVABLE!
Summary: 5 Stars
First, right off the bat, let me say that you MUST see Before Sunrise prior to watching this film. While I suppose you might still enjoy it without the prior viewing (you are offered a few scattered flashbacks of the previous film), I believe your appreciation of its subtleties will be HUGELY diminished without it. And it's a rare treat to be able to revisit characters you got to know in one film ten years later.
I actually watched BEFORE SUNRISE again just one day prior to viewing BEFORE SUNSET. In my opinion, that's the way to go...because there are little things in the first film that come up in film #2...it helps enjoy the movie to remember those little moments yourself.
BEFORE SUNRISE was the story of two young college-aged kids who meet on a train to Vienna, and he (Ethan Hawke) convinces here (Julie Delpy) to hang out with him for the night, before he has to fly back to the states. From there, they wander the scenic streets of Vienna, mostly talking, and falling in love. We see how the intellectual connection is made almost simultaneously with the physical attraction...and it's almost palpable how convincing the film is. At the end, the couple agrees to meet again in one year at the exact spot. Will they come together again? We don't know.
BEFORE SUNSET answers that question and many others. I will NOT be a spoiler here, but let's just say that in the 9 years that passed since the last film, Hawke and Delpy have not been together the whole time. How and why? I won't say.
This time, they meet in Paris. Both actors are clearly older. Hawke is gaunt to the point of emaciation. Delpy has aged around the eyes in particular. What's cool is that as the two reunite, we can see the age lifting from them. Yes, they look older, but as they spend the time together, they begin to feel like their younger selves again.
Ethan Hawke is not a favorite actor of mine. In most films, I find him boring or affected. He's also a very pretentious writer...and I don't like that he dumped Uma Thurman. Anyway, in these little gems, he is terrific. The conversational, improvised tone fits him very well, and he's convincing. Delpy, whom I haven't seen in much else, is very good. Her character has many annoying little traits, but she's also so open about the joy she takes in things. And both characters have bristling, active intellects. It's fun to watch smart people making a connection. They're both quick witted and funny, especially Delpy.
The first film was mostly upbeat...even though we knew they had to part ways, there was so much fun in watching them connect so convincingly. The movie captured the ebullience of young love. BEFORE SUNSET is infused with melancholy. The characters are older, and have been battered a bit by life...especially their own decisions. Neither has been a failure, yet neither is happy either. And they are tormented (especially Hawke) by what "could have been." There's some resentment there, and it pops up from time to time, even as they rebuild their bond. They aren't as carefree and open as they once were. All of that reads as very convincing and believable.
The final ten minutes or so of the film are about as quiet and tiny as any you'll see. We REALLY feel we're eavesdropping. The tension is thick. Time is running out (Hawke has a plane to catch) and we can literally feel the need to cling to every last second. The ending is the ultimate in bittersweet.
I admire the films because they dialogue, while probably more intelligent and witty then any of us could muster up, FEELS real. And there's a lot of it, and it's fun to listen to. The actors also listen to each other very avidly. It all feels authentic, and makes you realize how many movies really don't. The films aren't stylish or noisy. The filmmaking is NOT flashy. Director Richard Linklater knows what the strengths are and doesn't tamper with them.
Is the movie perfect? No. Sometimes we realize that these two people might not be people we would actually like if we met them. They are a bit full of themselves. But on the other hand, it's a strength that they aren't afraid to have some significant warts too. And the opening scene, where Hawke is in a bookstore (before he's met Delpy) feels too contrived...it's only an excuse to show some scenes from the previous film. But these quibbles are REALLY minor.
I recommend both movies to adults...particularly if you've had love in your life or been an adult for at least ten years. I think most kids or teens would be bored silly.
Movie Review: I'm designed to feel slightly dissatisfied!
Summary: 5 Stars
I will be the first to announce that I was not a huge fan of the original film. While I thought that it was interesting to see as well as an untapped concept in Hollywood, I felt that the characters were too forced coupled with a very amateurish and repetitive moments. It was an average film that seemed to be lacking bits of the human element. It needed something more. At the time I couldn't put my finger on it, but after seeing Before Sunset, I could see what it was. Maturity. This may sound strange, but I felt that Jesse and Celine were too perfect in the first film. They lacked connectiveness to the average person. I couldn't see myself in this situation. Perhaps if I would have seen the original film in 1995 instead of a couple of years ago, it would have been closer, but I just couldn't capture the moment. In Before Sunset, I feel head over feet for both Jesse and Celine.
They seemed to have grown and experienced a life that was all their own. They seemed more passionate, more powerful, and especially more human. From their first meeting in the bookstore until the finale in Celine's apartment, I was fully immersed in their conversation. I wanted to know everything I could about both of them, and I did. I loved hearing about Celine's passion for the environment, and Jesse's distraught marriage. It brought these two characters out of the screen and into our lives. Whether it was a scripted story or if Hawke and Delpy were playing off each other, it worked. I witnessed in this film two people who were made for each other. It was more obvious in this film than in the prior outing.
What made this film work on such a higher level than the first were the actors. They have grown and emerged as two important commodities in the Hollywood community. This is probably Hawke's greatest performance in years. His relaxed actions made us feel relaxed around him, yet quietly pushing for him to be closer to Celine. His pushy sexual advances seemed less forced and instead more like honest love. He looked and felt like a man that has been dreaming of this encounter all his life, and it finally happened. You could see the excitement in his eyes to see Delpy again. It was more than just acting, he put so much heart into this performance that it was clearly displayed for all to see. The same goes for Delpy. At the beginning of this film, I didn't like her character. She seemed rough and rigid around the edges, constantly giving off that feeling that she was harboring a secret that she didn't want Hawke to know. As her character grew in this film, I understood why. She had a different life after the encounter than Hawke did. While he still longed for Celine in his heart, he did move on. She longed for Jesse in her heart, and to this day could not find anyone to replace his purity. I loved Celine much more in the sequel because she kept us guessing. Did she remember their night together? Did she really loose her grandmother, or did she just not show up that day in Vienna? Was the song just for Jesse? So many questions left me wanting more and more and more.
Finally, I would like to say that Linklater is growing with his films, and this was a crowning achievement for him. He powerfully and delicately built a sequel that was for superior than the original. He continued with a similar format as the first, but gave us stronger characters and another beautiful city. The language in this film is intense. Listen to the words that come from Ethan and Julie, they embody so much of our culture and our lives. There were moments when I felt they were speaking thoughts directly from my mind. Everything in this film was connected and worked to the fullest extent of cinematic possibility.
Overall, this was a brilliant film. Linklater captured the essence of these two heart-struck people and proved that it could be filmed. This is one of the ultimate love stories that will remain on your minds far after the film is over. The intimate final lines will continually reverberate as the best ever in a movie. This was a huge step up from the original, and is one of the best films of the year. If you were not a fan of the Before Sunset, I suggest that you check this out. It is a mature film that explores the power of love in a way that no other Hollywood film could. I would not be surprised if we saw the title of this film in the Oscar celebration this year. Check out this film to hear social commentary of our lives, fall in love, and especially to see the beauty of Paris.
Grade: ***** out of *****
Movie Review: A somewhat realistic look at romance
Summary: 5 Stars
Although artistic, indie films are not my usual fare, I LOVED this movie, as well as its predecessor, "Before Sunrise", which I first encountered on cable back in '95. It was a great movie about being young and in love. Two people have a magical night together, and plan to meet again in six months time. "Before Sunrise" ended on that note, and being something of a romantic, I always liked to think they both came back as they promised, and got together.
This movie finally answers that question. A rarity among sequels, it manages to equal its predecessor. "Before Sunset" follows the same format as the first film. What makes it work is that the characters really do act like people who have aged a decade. They're no longer college age kids, but grown, working adults. In this film they talk more about their experiences than their hopes, ambitions, and desires. You can see how life has worn some of their idealism off. This is a great touch of realism. They're the same characters, but their not really the same people anymore.
Well, nine years after their romantic night together, we see that through no fault of theirs, their planned rendezvous in Vienna never happened. They meet again in Paris, and as the movie progresses, it gradually becomes obvious that neither of them ever really got over the other. Jesse admits that when he got married, he settled for what he thought would be good enough. His marriage is not a happy one, and he has only remained in it because of his son, and even so, he worries about his son growing up in a joyless home. Celine has bounced from one unsatisfying relationship to another, growing more cynical about romance with each one. The only reason her current boyfriend is still her boyfriend is because his work requires him to travel a lot, so he's not around often enough to get under her skin like the rest of them did. Celine candidly admits that she feels like she's dying inside, and Jesse tells her his life's even worse.
Just as in the first film, they have only a short time to spend together. Jesse has to catch a plane for New York. But this brief time is enough to reveal that their old magic is still there, and you can see them falling for each other all over again. As another reviewer remarked, those who say that this movie ended on an ambiguous note, as the first film did, are missing the subtext. I think it is no coincidence at all that when Linklater, Delpy, and Hawke chose to feature a song sung by Nina Simone (in a scene near the end, when Jesse plays it on Celine's stereo), the one they chose was "Just in Time". You can't hear the lyrics so easily in this film, but if you know this song (I do) you can see that it could be a Cri de Coeur from either character to the other:
Just in time, you've found me just in time.
Before you came, my time was running low.
I was lost; the losing dice were tossed.
My bridges all were crossed. Nowhere to go.
Now you're here. Now I know where I'm going
No more doubt or fear. I've found my way
For love came just in time. You've found me just in time,
And changed my lonely nights that lucky day.
And when Celine, imitating Nina Simone, says to Jesse: "Baby, you are gonna miss that plane." He replies: "I know". The way he says it, however, is more like: "You're d*** right I am." They both let "the one" get away before. There's no way they're going to let it happen again.
Since Jesse and Celine do get their happy ending - or rather, happy beginning - in this film, I really hope they don't make another sequel. It could only be dramatic if it shows them having a relationship that has some troubles (and who wants to see that?), or if they somehow fail to get together after all, and lose more of their precious, irreplaceable years. Besides that, I am impressed that they managed to maintain the quality of the first film in a sequel. I'm not at all sure they could do it again. Better to leave the characters on a high note.
Movie Review: a sweetly poignant conversation between two real-life friends
Summary: 5 Stars
This was one of several movies that I watched while stuck on board this long round trip Qantas flight. It was without a doubt the best one of them all, just a terrific movie.
I got the DVD for this movie and for "Before Sunrise" later. Unlike most people here, I definitely preferred "Before Sunset". There is a noticeable difference between the two movies, and it has to do strictly with the fact that "Before Sunrise" was a standard movie script, written by two screenwriters, while "Before Sunset" was written largely by the two actors - Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy - together with the director/screenwriter.
It is quite clear from the background information available on the making of "Before Sunset" that an enormous amount of the screenplay was taken from the real lives of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.
Jesse is originally from Texas, so is Ethan Hawke. Celine goes to the U.S. to live and study, so did Julie Delpy. Jesse is in the midst of a loveless marriage - Ethan Hawke was in the midst of a breakup of his marriage to Uma Thurman at the time this movie was being made. Celine stays single, having many male friends/lovers, but never marrying - this is also true of Julie Delpy.
Although they both said at the time that they were not playing themselves, that Ethan's real-life marital problems were completely different from Jesse's, and that Celine was only an idealization of the real Julie Delpy, the similarities are striking. The fact that they are playing characters so close to who they really are is what makes "Before Sunset" feel so completely effortless and free flowing, more like a documentary that is evesdropping on a long, sweetly poignant conversation between two real-life friends.
Watching "Before Sunrise" after this movie, I could definitely sense that the first movie was more of a situation where two actors were just playing out roles written for them by screenwriters. The conversations do not flow quite so naturally, with the transitions occurring more awkwardly and in a more artificial fashion.
In "Before Sunset", Jesse and Julie are nine years older, wiser, and sadder than in the first movie, just like in real life. Like most fair skinned people in their mid 30's, they have now lost the smooth baby faced skin of their youth and are developing the beginnings of wrinkles. The sadness comes from their realization, and our realization, that all of the youthful hopes and plans and passion from their encounter in the first movie did not come to fruition, and that time is perhaps running out for them.
One final comment - most reviewers who have commented on the ending of "Before Sunset" seem to want to believe that Jesse and Celine went on to stay together as a couple.
I have a different take on this. I think that Jesse most likely did miss his airplane and went on to stay longer with Celine than he originally planned. I also think that Jesse and Celine did go on to become best friends and soulmates, but I seriously doubt that they would go on to live together as a couple or that they would get married. No, marriage would definitely not be in the cards for the fiercely independant-minded Celine.
Why do I think this? Because, in real-life, Ethan Hawke went on to a divorce with Uma Thurman, and became best friends with Julie Delpy, but today, they remain just that, best friends, and they have not gotten married nor did they go on to live together as a couple.
And more than anything else, this movie is but a parallel universe mirroring their real lives.