Film Review: Before Sunrise

Director: Richard Linklater

Sometimes films with a very minimalist plot that are based mostly around conversations and interaction between characters can be the boldest and most daring films to shoot. There is always the risk of the film being boring if the characters involved aren't engaging or interesting to listen to, Roman Polanski's Carnage was a case in point where two couples engage in an argument solely in an apartment for the length of the film (one that I really enjoyed but other critics were more lukewarm about).

Before Sunrise is the first in a trilogy of films by Richard Linklater based around the chance meeting of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). They are both travelling across Europe having caught a train from Budapest with Jesse flying back to America from Vienna whilst Celine is going back to Paris to college after visiting her grandmother. They end up talking after Celine moves away from a couple that is arguing and after getting on so well Celine decides to depart the train in Vienna with Jesse to spend more time together.

Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy)

It is an intriguing film, right at the forefront of the backpacking and travelling culture that the young generation have embraced in the last decade. The chance meetings of young people on trains and at youth hostels etc is growing rapidly. The short relationship between Jesse and Celine feels very genuine which makes us care more about the characters as the film develops. The sense of one day and one event changing your life is what really underpins the good things about this movie, really something interesting to take away with you. Some of the topics of conversation they meander onto lack interest whilst the characters thoughts on relationships and love are slightly cliché in that they are cynical but clearly still believers. This meant it was slightly predictable in parts and you do will the film to get to its finale so you can find out what happens to them but you're pleasantly surprised when you get there.

2/4 Likeable but flawed romantic drama