Touching and different

Rating: 8/10 (11 April 2015)

Set in the beautiful city of Vienna, Before Sunrise is a beautiful love story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke), who is headed to Vienna and Celine (Julie Delpy), going to Paris, who meet in a train. After spending a short while talking, they decide to get off the train in Vienna and spend an evening together. But how long will they actually last? We see a good blend of feelings here, from the first conversation, sense of adventure, getting off the train, feel of being in a different world, and also dealing with good-byes.
There isn't much of a story to the movie. But what truly captures the hearts is the long, pointless, yet deep-rooted talks and conversations between Jesse and Celine. Unlike most other Hollywood love stories, this couple falls for each other's soul, and not the bod. That is why about 95% of the movie is just talks between the two protagonists. The other 5% is the beauty of Vienna.
Even with a few minor glitches in the shots (the views outside the train is different for both, Jesse and Celine, in one single scene, the direction of the train changes as they enter the lounge car...), Director Richard Linklater easily manages to make the surroundings co-operate with the theme of the film, and throughout the movie, the audience is kept engaged in a soothing, romantic feel due to the way shots are presented. Maybe the optimum use of the location to give emotions to the scenes is what won the director a Silver Berlin Bear as Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1995.
Before Sunrise is every Indian girl's ideal movie, as there are no antagonists, or any 'Kabab Mein Haddis' (or anything, except Celine, Jesse, beautiful locations and amazing conversations, for that matter) Not many movies survive with only so much to offer, but this one does, with a good reaction from the people.
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy could be a little better in their facial reactions to each other's talking. But that is acutely negligible given that the viewer is more invested in the dialogues than in minutely observing their faces. There are no other characters taking more than 3 minutes of screen time and the whole movie revolves around the couple. Good direction and right timing are a plus point here.
With some very good quote-worthy dialogues for word-lovers, the movie goes on to an 8 out of 10. Hats off to the production for pulling off such a wonderful movie with such great simplicity. Even without a story with many twists and turns, this simple plot ends up touching the hearts of the audience, for sure.