FILM TITLE: BEFORE SUNRISE DIRECTOR: RICHARD LINKLATER COUNTRY: USA/AUSTRIA 1995 MUSIC: CLASSICAL MUSIC CAST: Julie Delpy ( Alina ), Ethan Hawke ( Jessie ) WRITTEN BY: Richard Linklater SUPER FEATURES: The two actors, and Vienna, of course.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is an attraction for this film, and it isn't the actors, although they do very well. It is Vienna.
The story centers around Jessie who seems to have lost out on a romantic marriage with a Spanish woman. He borders a train to Vienna where he is to take a less expensive flight to the United States ( haven't heard this one before.. ) and return home. While en route he meets a young lady who is also moving on. Situations get strange on the train with a couple who is having a bad day. She switches seats and meets Jessie. And he is in the mood for something different, and romantic, before he leaves. She accepts, and despite her wants, they eventually decide that sex is not in the best interest of the situation.
And they spend the whole night walking around Vienna talking about themselves and their lives. Nothing fancy. The film, here, takes on the attitude of a spectator, and merely shoots the two as if they were another monument in this city. And their discussion, while lacking the usual dramatic stance of conflict, just seem to get along. They manage to become very good friends and perhaps meet again next year at a specified time. If they do, that's when the story really will start. Until then, this whole thing seemed like a nice exercise in preparing actors for a performance. It doesn't feel ad-libbed, but it also does not feel rehearsed. The freshness is nice, and the chemistry between the two comes off as very pleasant, and enjoyable, making for a nice film, but one that may bore many a viewer, if they are expecting something to happen.
Beautifully filmed, and with a very nice touch for the background, this film walks, much like the Kieslowsky films, but the comparison ends there.
A nice film. Pleasant actors at work.
3.5 of 5 GIBLOONS Reviewed by Pedro Sena. Moderator of Ygdrasil's Film Newsgroup Copyright (c) Pedro Sena 1995. All Rights Reserved.
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