Gag them with a spoon

Rating: 1/10 (16 May 2001)

One of the most difficult scenes in acting is when a fictitious character is to naturally recount an old memory. Often in dramatics, an actor tells of some old memory with just a hint of averted eyes and awkward facial expressions. It is difficult to act out the natural timing of facial expressions as a person taps their own memory. In real life, we all do this with ease with our true memories. But actors in a movie are dealing with make-believe, so there is nothing in their brains to be retrieved and it is very easy to see through the acting.
From beginning to end, BEFORE SUNRISE is a movie with two main characters who do almost nothing but recount to each other happenings from their individual pasts. Unfortunately, the actors are not up to this difficult task.
Apparently, most of these many strolls down memory lane are meant to end with some clever insight on humanity. About one in one hundred succeeds.
There is no catchy music, no passion, and very little to maintain interest. The viewer's mind begins to ponder side items, such as the facial structure of the actors chosen for this movie. The lead actor and actress have the same nose and chin and eyes. They could be brother and sister. And the palm reader looked to be the mother of the lead actress.
Last, the script has some unmissable glitches. The audience that was around me murmured much disapproval during the bar scene when the bar owner and the lead actor shake hands in a deal in which the bar owner would give the lead actor the mailing address to the bar so that the lead actor can later mail payment for wine given out. Just when we expect the address to be given, the lead actor walks away and he and the bar tender act as if the deal never happened.
The characters learn about each other in an impractical backwards manner in terms of the since of mating. No digits are exchanged. No addresses or details, ever. Perhaps there is never enough time in BEFORE SUNRISE because the script gives highest priority to retelling of old memories -- old memories that are fake. Unsatisfying. Unentertaining.