A true indie style movie, “Before Sunrise” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 1995. It’s a humble love story that’s written and directed so well, it has the compelling nature of a psychological thriller. The story itself was inspired by a real event in Linklater’s life, and he wisely opted to enlist Kim Krizan as co-writer to offer the counter balance of the male/female characters.
Playing out like a modern day reality dating show, “Before Sunrise” follows a pair of young strangers, American man Jesse (Hawke) and French woman Celine (Delpy) who strike up a conversation while riding a train across Europe. Having only spoken for a brief amount of time, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna, and wander the streets all night as he waits for his morning flight back to the States. “All I know is I have to catch an Austrian Airlines flight tomorrow morning and I don’t really have enough money for a hotel, so I was just going to walk around,” Jesse explains. “It would be a lot more fun if you came with me.”
“Before Sunrise” is nothing more than a twelve-hour first date between two strangers, and the acting of Hawke and Delpy, who are virtually the only characters with speaking lines, is so natural you’ll watch with amazement. Visually, both actors have the perfect mid-90s look, and set against the beauty and history of Vienna is a wonderful compliment. There are no cell phones, so the pair is forced to get to know each other the old fashioned way, with the only antagonist coming in the form of a ticking clock, quickly moving towards the end of their magical night.
The pair meander about getting to know each other as all of us doubtless have on a date at one time or another. Is there a mystery surrounding either? Yes – but it’s nothing more than any clandestine gem that a normal person has, and this is what makes both characters so enjoyable to watch. My favorite scene shows us Jesse and Celine at a record store, listening to an entire song without a word being spoken between the two. The communication between them is completely non-verbal, and is so revealing it’s a true work of cinematic art.
The theme of love and its powerful ability is what propels the plot. There’s the cliché crass American stumbling to fit in with the sophisticated European, with passion cutting the cultural bounds and subtle humor sprinkled in for good and realistic measure. They also discuss such deep topics as life, death, religion, and past relationships. It’s a 101 minute film without a single wasted scene. Jesse and Celine encounter a variety of locales over the course of their night, from the iconic Wiener Riesenrad Ferris Wheel to the historic Viennese café, with stunning architecture and designs in every backdrop. The rapport between the actors is so amazing you’ll forget you are watching a work of fiction.
“Before Sunrise” isn’t as lauded as other romantic films of its time and that’s too bad. Bu the time the credits rolled, it had landed in my Top 50, and is one of the best love stories you will ever watch.
