Before Sunset

I was anxious to see this film, as Before Sunrise was so great and one of my favorite romantic films that is actually romantic and oddly realistic in its lack of the "forever" concept. I say oddly because you would think a film about two young people and their one-night tromp around Vienna would be unrealistic- but the film makes sure that doesn't happen. People meet by chance all the time and sometimes that spontaneous, instinctual connection happens. With Jesse and Celine, you believe the sped up progression of the relationship. I did think they would find their way back to each other, but needed some time to age and build more solid foundations, become more "adult".


"Do they get back together in 6 months?"
"It's a test of whether you're a romantic or a cynic."


I loved how the film started with Jesse addressing his critics at the book signing- it reminded me of how some of the movie's critics might have responded to Before Sunrise. I think Jesse would consider himself a romantic, truly appreciating the romantic quality of the time he spent with Celine. However, a lot of people may look at their story and make assumptions about the existence of a future- they must end up together! Do they end up together? Why didn't they end up together? Why did they just carry on with their lives and leave their romance in Vienna? Surely such a great connection must be forever!

When Jesse and Celine reunite, it feels as if they picked up where they left off. They discuss politics and what has happened to their "selves"- it appears that their paths could have crossed but didn't. I think it would have been interesting if they had run into each other in American territory- would the romantic element be so strong? The cozy European backdrop to these films adds to that slightly carefree romantic quality.

It feels as if these actors are truly their characters, infusing their lives into the characters' stories. Their desire for something different, for a different past, perhaps, is evident throughout the film. This is especially seen when Jesse is discussing his marriage. He always really wanted Celine but knew that wasn't realistic, just like assume this high quality of romance is not always going to be there. Nothing is really forever, even marriage (which many people assume and take for fact that it is). Marriages almost don't account for the amount of change that happens throughout life. How can you always desire one person all the time? Desire changes just like we do and I'm sure the reality of marriage is hard at times (I can safely say this through my observations of marriages around me).

That's what made Jesse and Celine's night so great- there wasn't a great amount of change and there was no pressure, no promises, no commitment. Now that these characters are older and have made some commitments, they understand the poignancy of that night even more. They get what commitment can do to you, how desire can thrill you in a particularly powerful way when you haven't felt it in so long, held by this promise of forever (forever in marriage for Jesse and forever in independence for Celine).