This
unexpectedly enjoyable indie sequel to the indie
hit "Before Sunrise" follows original stars
Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke for 80 minutes
following a meeting in Paris several years after
their original meeting.
What follows is a unique, well-acted and
effortlessly enjoyable film in which director
Richard Linklater basically follows the actors
as they converse about life, their first
meeting, relationships and the future in real
time. We don't have breakaway shots here...we
don't have several days of shooting. We
basically have a conversation between two very
real people having a very real conversation with
obvious, authentic feeling. It's an utter joy to
watch.
I am not a fan of Ethan Hawke...I generally find
his approach to acting lazy and smarmy. Here,
however, Hawke is relaxed and enjoyable as
Jesse. Hawke gives his character a unique
balance of confidence and humility that is
seldom captured in a romantic film. It's a
subdued, quietly brilliant performance.
The enchanting Julie Delpy also provides great
depth to what could have been a rather boring
role. Delpy's facial expressions and vocal
expressions are simply endearing and hypnotic.
Like Hawke, it's a subdued, yet slightly more
energetic performance.
Other roles are inconsequential here, but the
French setting adds significantly to the beauty
of the film. The everyday, "street" beauty of
Paris is beautifully captured by Linklater.
I love films like this one...in fact, it
accomplishes much of what I wish "The Polar
Express" had done. It takes a simple story and
makes a simple film of it. This film is devoid
of offensive material, beyond a few basic sexual
conversations that are far from offensive.
Absurdly, it received an "R" rating. It doesn't
serve it. "Before Sunset" explores the
relationship between two people in honest,
authentic ways that defy cinematic presentation
yet Linklater has done a wonderful job of
capturing it on film through a simple script,
honest dialogue and very basic approach to
cinematography.
This film begs to be an "A" range film, yet for
an "indie" film with a $10 million budget I
found myself noticing more than once technical
flubs. For example, at least a couple times I
noticed boom mikes in the background. While the
spontaneous camera work may open the door to
this happening, I would think that with a $10
million budget at least a moderate editing job
would have solved the problem. Additionally, I
found myself a tad disappointed with an ending
that seemed as unresolved as the beginning. Were
they, perhaps, thinking that we needed another
sequel to this film? I think not. Anyone who had
invested in these characters on any emotional
level deserved a better resolution.
So, I am left with a beautiful, romantic film
with outstanding performances by Ethan Hawke and
Julie Delpy. "Before Sunset" is a joy to behold
and a wonderful way to spend some time cuddled
up on the couch with someone you love.
©
Written by Richard
Propes
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
