Before sunrise (1995)

On request of my housemate, I decided to watch a movie called ‘Before Sunrise’ (1995) starring Ethan Hawke (Jesse) and Julie Delpy (Celine), today. While the name sounded vaguely familiar, I wasn’t sure if I had or had not seen it before. Since I couldn’t think of anything better to do and was too tired to do any thing constructive, I laid on the couch and watched the flick. As soon as it began, I realized that I had seen it!!! This may come as a demotivating factor for some, but I like to see movies over and over, as it gives me more and more opportunity to read into it. Explore different avenues…and just at times to relive the experience. I must confess however, I didn’t recall too much, however the plot was always at the back of mind. At the fore of my mind, if I will, was another plot….running a movie on its own projector.

I liked the film the first time I saw it. Not that I didn’t like it this time. I did. It is pure, simple and innocent, at times naive…The most attractive feature of it, well….there are two…one; it does not seem scripted….is very spontaneous….while one(me) would think of it like that, some may call it too much of a ‘cliche’; two, the performance..especially of the female protagonist, Julie Delpy.She is really pretty and acts with flawless grace and ease. The beautiful transitions between emotions are extremely well acted out on her part. Here is a still from the movie.

Before Sunrise (1995) Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

For those, who like romantic movies, this is a must see. I suggest you stop reading right this moment and watch it, and write comments about what you felt later. For those who like to read the back of the book before you pick it up…Here is a trailer and a spiel of the movie…

The film revolves around Jesse, an American, traveling through Europe to get over his girlfriend, he just broke up with in Madrid; and Céline, a young French woman, who meet on a train. Jesse picks up Celine and they spend one night in Vienna, walking around the city and getting to know one another. Not surprisingly, the American is a pragmatic person, even a bit of a cynic, while the French lass is jolly and romantic. Both of them exchange various ideas about life, love, reincarnations, sex, feminism, fascism etc. Basically, their conversations seem to branch out as they try to figure each other out. While playful at first, they start toying with one another and poke fun. As the plot thickens, they start to get really involved in one another, and fear the next morning, when they must part as Jesse flies out.  The portrayal of the circumstance and the way they share, sometimes, more than anyone ever would with a stranger, makes the movie click. The movie sadly and realistically ends abruptly at the train station (platform no 9, 6 pm, 16th of June, man am I a romantic or what??..Geek). They promise to meet again…in six months time. The end kind of leaves you feeling unsatisfied. While a part of you understands the choices they made, another wants them to unite desperately. And no…they don’t come right back to the station as they would in a Hindi/Bollywood movie…well may be they do …. but at least you don’t see it in this movie….may be they do in the initial part of the second…

The highlight from the movie, is undoubtedly the scene where Jesse and Celine, meet a roadside poet as they are walking along a riverside. He writes them a poem, with the word ‘milkshake’ on their request. The poem is called ‘Delusion Angel’ and is a fantastic work of art. It is credited to David Jewell.Here it is…

Daydream delusion,
limousine eyelash,
oh, baby with your pretty face,
drop a tear in my wineglass,
look at those big eyes,
see what you mean to me,
sweet cakes and milkshakes,
I am a delusioned angel,
I am a fantasy parade,
I want you to know what I think,
don’t want you to guess anymore,
you have no idea where I came from,
we have no idea where we’re going,
launched in life,
like branches in the river,
flowing downstream,
caught in the current,
I’ll carry you, you’ll carry me,
that’s how it could be,
don’t you know me?
don’t you know me by now?

Dominic Castell, played the role of the poet to perfection. Actually, there even is this very clip from the movie on You Tube, I loved this scene….

Director and co-script writer, Richard Linklater, came up with a sequel in 2004, titled Before Sunset, starring the same duo.Here is a beautiful still from the movie.

Before Sunset (2004) Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

I plan to watch the sequel tomorrow. On some level, I am skeptical that they do meet, and hit if off. The age old cliche is that the love stories, left incomplete are the true sagas of love (Romeo-Juliet, Heer -Ranjha etc etc). Rationale being, love changes to routine after time. Or does it really?Here is a trailer of the sequel…

It reminded me of Love Story (1970) and Oliver’s Story (1978) by Erich Sehgal, which had a love story split between two chapters. I am hoping that Before Sunset, does not end up being as tragic albeit realistic and in fact filled with hope (does that even make sense?) as Oliver’s Story.

Anyone who has read Jab We Met Part three, knows that I am a sucker for strangers falling in love on a train/bus….it happened to me..so I believe it is possible. When I look at films, or success stories of my friends…I find the strength, courage and belief…that my journey is ongoing…and I too am likely to bump into someone an hit it off. My pragmatic, anal, cynical and timid mind…warns me otherwise. While my eyes saw the scenes from the movie…..my heart projected….different ones…on my mind……

References/Keywords:

Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Delusional Angel – David Jewell, Erich Sehgal, Love Story, Oliver’s Story