This film was like seeing an old friend

Rating: Null/10 (11 November 2004)

I saw the first movie "before sunrise" years back and it is the best romantic film I have ever seen. Maybe because I love traveling. I love traveling because anything can happen when you are in a place you have never been. The excitement of what you will do and who you will meet. The first movie really is a prerequisite to this film. You will be lost and probably bored with this film if you do not see the first one. I don't think it can stand on its own.
The major difference I see is that the first film was also at a slower pace.
All the scenes seemed rushed a bit too much in this film. The characters have very similar behaviors still from the first film. I thought there was no chance they would ever make a sequel to the first film since it was so odd, so I was thrilled to see they actually did.
I have to say that I feel a bit sad seeing the film though. Both characters seem to have spent the last 9 years without what they really wanted in life.
Neither makes any claim to be happy or really even close. The ending was pretty powerful with the scenes in the cab. The film really should have been longer and paced slower I think. It does end on a note that is sort of not a good possible solution - as if life has gotten more complicated now that they are older and they are now hopelessly lost since they didn't make it work the first time around.
I am glad they made the film, and it does show that maybe when you are young, you can be very romantic, but when you get older, you are forced into reality by the structure of life. I highly recommend seeing both films. I could not recommend just seeing this film on its own.