Greatest Love Story

Rating: 10/10 (27 July 2004)

Why on Earth didn't someone tell me Linklater created what may possibly be the greatest love story ever filmed?
I started seeing rave reviews of Before Sunset. So I thought it might be prudent to see Before Sunrise. Having just watched it, I'm uncertain how it is that the vast majority of reviewers believe Before Sunset tops Before Sunrise. I hope that when I venture into a theatre in the next few days, I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Before Sunrise is, as I'm sure the "plot summary" tells you, the story of a Parisian and an American wandering around Vienna. Of course, the backdrop is wonderful. Vienna is a beautiful city. I loved it in The Third Man, and I love it here. Including what appears to be the very same ferris wheel.
But what is fascinating about Before Sunrise is the riveting dialogue. Rather than the typical one-liners or silence, Linklater follows the lead of his earlier self (see, e.g., Slacker) and comes up with some very listenable words. While Waking Life tops Sunrise on philosophical depth by a slim margin, Sunrise follows our leads closely, which makes for somehow more impactful audio. These characters are more real than most I've seen in most films. Especially romances, which tend strongly toward cliches and other assorted love songs, already documented. Before Sunrise develops our leads into humans. Not an unheard of feat, but unusual. But then it develops our leads into humans with insight. Very unusual.
Magical, beautiful, insightful into the human condition, and entertaining. 10/10. On par with Amelie. Rent it now. [Update on Before Sunset soon.]