Before Sunset
![[[ BEFORE SUNSET: More great talk ]]](http://hooverdust.com/version2/wp-content/images//before_sunset.jpg)
After the heavy topic of film violence on Hooverdust.com recently, I thought I’d change pace and throw you over to the other end of the film spectrum. Romance flicks. Yes that’s right - romance flicks! Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of the Hollywood representation of romance because most of them manipulate the audiences into believing that is how it love and romance works. I think they can actually cause more harm than good if the person being manipulated holds up these completely unrealistic expectations for a potential partner. Still, I admit I enjoy the occasional romance flick here and there given the right circumstances and company.
One of my favourite romance flicks of all-time is a little indie flick entitled Before Sunrise made in 1995. The simplicity of the premise along with Richard Linklater’s (Dazed and Confused, School of Rock) direction and two likeable but flawed characters (Although Julie Delpy’s character Celine is way beyond ‘likable’) often cause me to recommend this to people who enjoyed Lost in Translation. Basically the two characters spend one night together, wandering around Vienna, talking and getting to know one another - what makes them tick, piss them off, memories of their childhoods, etc… Not a lot happens but by the time the film is over we feel like we know these characters and care what happens to them. The film ends beautifully and the thought of a sequel never occurred to me at all.
That is until a few weeks ago when I found a posting on aintitcoolnews.com with images from a sequel, titled Before Sunset. The good news is that all the original talent are back - Richard Linklater as writer and director and Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke reprising their roles as Celine and Jesse. The general consensus from people on the IMDB boards is that a sequel will undoubtedly ruin the impact of the first film. However, I disagree. And my reason is simple - Linklater’s no fool. I doubt for a second that he would have even considered a sequel that would infringe the impact of the original. If anything, the film might even enhance the original and add another chapter to these characters lives.
Anyway, we’ll get to see what happens when the film opens nationally across the US on June 25th with Australia to follow later.
Quick Links:
- Early reviews from the premiere at the Berlin Film Festival here and here.
- 5 minutes of scenes here (in Real ’shithouse’ player format. Why not Quicktime!?).
2 Responses to “Before Sunset”
Just watched this again a couple of nights ago. Still a great flick. Interested to see you never considered a sequel. I remember thinking the first time I saw the film how great it would be to meet up with these two again 6 months down the line at their rendevous. Well, I guess 9 years later will have to do…And hear we’ll find out if either of them actually showed up to that first planned meeting.
Lost In Translation is…wow. It may as well be a true story. Of course, my favorite romance of all time would have to be Half Baked.