Alright, I’ve never touched romantic films in my blog till now and feel this is the perfect film I must talk about! Though this is the second film in the breathtaking trilogy from the same team involving Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Richard Linklater and the third installment even getting nominated for the Oscars in best screenplay department, Before Sunset remains to be my most favorite and picture perfect films from this trilogy!
The film is romantically set around Paris but the lead actors aren’t in any sort of lovable relationship as they met in strange circumstances! By the end of first film, the youthful American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) bids a painful goodbye to his soulmate Celine (Julie Delpy) and neither of them exchange any form of communication. The only catch they had was to meet in Vienna after six months of departure. But now, things turn different as Celine fails to turn up in Vienna due to her grandmother’s untimely demise and a distraught Jesse moves on with life! Jesse becomes a successful writer who decides to pen the story of his interactions with Celine in real life. Celine on the other hand works for an environmental organization and becomes a strict career woman!
A curious Celine realizes that Jesse is in Paris for the book signing and magically turns up to meet him after nearly 15 years of their mesmerizing relationship! Before Sunset begins from here which not only involves poetic manner but also intellectual, logical and amazing chemistry between the lead actors!
Paris was never shown so laid back, swift and aesthetic by any filmmaker till date! We travel along with the lead characters Jesse and Celine as the film progresses on the streets of Paris, sit along with them in the majestic cafes, walk around in the park filled with greenery and what not? Before Sunset is one of those amazingly made romantic flicks which takes your breath away!
The delicate relationship between Jesse and Celine speaks of mutual respect, adoration, and hidden love but either of them are ready to confess their love for each other. Jesse is married and settled with a kid and Celine is unable to move on in life because of her own insecurities and the brilliant one day romantic stand she had with Jesse long back. This fateful couple have only two hours let in the beautiful city Paris and have millions of things to talk about- how amazing is this?
The film doesn’t get too emotional, with unnecessary arguments or rifts which we usually see in Rom-Coms. Before Sunset is bashfully straightforward with characters so close to real life! There is chirpiness, hidden disappointment coupled with immeasurable love! It is like a textbook definition of making intellectual love stories if you ask me!
Do not miss the climax of the film where you see the best of extremely talented lead actors unleash in an effortless manner! Before Sunset is one of those films which can be watched umpteen times and still get the same WOW factor every time!
Eternal Movies 