Before Sunrise

2 strangers, 1 conversation, 1 city. Before Sunrise is not for everyone but if you get caught up in it, it won't let you go. I don't want to get into the details - it's better if you see it for yourself. When you witness the perfect chemistry between the main characters, when you stroll with them through summertime Vienna. Then perhaps Celine and Jesse's story will become something more for you. Something you will want to remember. P.S.: Yes, I know I'm a hopeless romantic. ;-) (01/28/2010)

Hard to describe beauty, in which there is no place for cynics. Just a little bit of empathy with both characters is enough, and let the wonderful feeling resonate within. I can't say that I have experienced something exactly like this, maybe just something remotely resembling it. Nevertheless, it elevated my experience to the limits of perfection. The actors are only three - Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, and Vienna. And it is one of the most natural trios ever on the screen. Such a movie I have always wanted to see. (01/30/2006)

Some time ago, by pure chance, I watched the final episode of the trilogy and the result was 4 stars and a feeling of time well invested. Before Sunrise had an even higher rating on FilmBooster than the last part, and there were enthusiastic comments to be found as well. So, I invited my wife to watch it, thinking it would be a pleasant romance and a safe bet. After a while, I looked at her, and in her eyes, I didn't see desperation, but definitely disinterest and the unspoken words "I really don't want to watch this..." After a bit, she actually said, "Couldn't that train at least derail?" I myself felt that it wasn't right. I didn't have a problem with the fact that there was continuous talking in the movie. The problem lies in the quality of the dialogues, in their content and message. It's basically just babbling. True, young Julie Delpy is nice to look at, but that's actually all the movie can offer me. The power of thoughts and emotions is not present for me. The success of the film lies in the ability and willingness of the viewer to project their own memories of a first date and love into the meeting of the two travelers. But I have never been this sentimental. Before dawn doesn't affect me at all, and it seems too banal and empty. Overall impression: 40%. (08/15/2017)

Two strangers meet randomly, spend a whole day and night together, and then comes the critical moment when they have to part ways. However, while Before Sunset takes place only during the day and in beautiful romantic Paris, Before Sunrise takes place at night (probably the most significant change). But whether it is a shimmering evening in Vienna or the sunny romantic Paris, the actors, the screenplay, and the camera work are top-notch. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are fantastically well-matched. It’s true that this and the second film are purely conversational, but they are shot so passionately and with such a unique style that it’s impossible to dislike them. Moreover, they don't lack humor, intelligence, and natural charm. (02/23/2005)

There are just some movies you have to grow into. The more you’ve "lived it" and the more one can project your personal experiences into what is happening on screen, the more intense the final experience. In the first installment of Richard Linklater's trilogy, two people bump into each other on a train and start talking, bonding, and spending some magical time together (yes, I'm that pathetic). What got me the most about it was the bare fact that I just had to root for them so hard. I often finished their conversations for them in my head and tried to anticipate their reactions. There were a few times when I thought that this was pretty stupid and that I would have said it better :-) But as the film progresses, you realize that it's not really about anticipating reactions or tangible thoughts for the future. What's most valuable here is really the power of the moment (see the final projection of the places visited) and its multiplied value in situations where you experience it with someone you're just great with. Wow, Mr. Linklater. (12/21/2017)