Mesmerizing brilliance

Rating: Null/10 (3 August 2004)

I consider myself particularly fortunate. While most people had to wait 9 years to see this sequel to Before Sunrise, and some misguided poor souls saw Before Sunset without even seeing Before Sunrise (which is an absolute misfortune, despite some dissentions), I was able to see the DVD for Sunrise (for the first time), enjoy a great dinner, and then carry on to see Sunset in the cinema. This was among the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had. Thanks to those making it possible.
Consider the brilliance  picking up a conversation from where it was left off nine years ago (both in the context of the story in movie and the actual filming itself) and continue the enchanting dialogue in a sequel that is all at once both lighter and heavier. To be able to completely empathize with Jessie (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) in their second encounter (in Paris), one needs to have gone through with them their one day (and night) together roaming Venice nine year ago, when they were at their early twenties.
Their initial relationship (in Sunrise) was simply the result of Jessie's urge to just continue talking with Celine after their chance meeting on a train. The entire movie was just one continuous conversation while the two roam Venice, but you'll be hard pressed to find anything more mesmerizing. It's not only the way they talk, but also the way they listen to each other. Throughout one's life, one may experience moments of joy when striking a chord of resonance in a conversation. For Jessie and Celine, it's more like an entire orchestra in a heart-warming harmony. It's such sheer joy watching them relating to each other. These two are meant to be together.
Nine years later (for me, just a few hours) the audience found out, in Sunset, that they were, after all, not together. They have both matured over the nine years, finding or trying to find their separate lives (or existences). Their conversation becomes more scintillating and carefree, liberated from tantalizing romantic possibilities. As they continue on, however, we gradually come to realize how that one night roaming Venice together had deeply affected them, throughout the ensuing nine year. A trace of sadness creeps in, but joy is also rekindled. Come what may, the sheer joy of watching them together not only continues, but is also deepened.
The ending is wickedly charming.