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There is nothing extraordinary about the meet-cute in Before Sunrise.
Theres no bickering on a long drive (When Harry Met Sally).
Its definitely not as glamorous as a movie star walking into a bookstore (Notting Hill).
Jesse and Celines meet-cute happens after a German couples argument opens the door to a conversation.
It’s that simple; no grand sweeping romantic gesture.
The actions of one obnoxious couple lights the match for Jesse and Celines love story.
Richard Linklaters Before Sunrise premiered 30 years ago at the Sundance Film Festival.
Meanwhile, Celine is on her way back to Paris after a visit with her grandma.
Their ensuing time together forms the basis for one of the most moving depictions of romance ever captured.
Dialogue carries the movie
Before Sunrise is a walk-and-talk; conversation drives the plot.
Theres a clear physical attraction, but their words do the heavy lifting in this courtship.
These yappers would make Glen Powell proud.
It’s the throw in of stuff typically reserved for dates three and four.
Yet the more they talk, the more they fall in love.
People can invent the best and the worst for you.
Isn’t everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?
What good is saved time if nobody uses it?
Ironically, the best stretch of the movie is when they talk the least.
The pretending to not look at someone even though youre really looking at them move.
Time never stops, but it slowed down ever so slightly in these moments.
This stretch will even make the cynics believe in love.
A journey of self-discovery and curiosity
Before Sunrise is a love story at its core.
But its more than a boy meets girl, they fall in love story.
Linklater is clearly interested in young adulthood a time of self-discovery dominated by questions, not answers.
Jesse is on the Eurail because his girlfriend broke up with him.
Hes on the train looking for an escape.
Hes searching for answers he doesnt have.
Similarly, Celine is staring down the barrel of an uncertain future.
Sometimes, she wants to be an independent icon of womanhood.
Other times, she just wants to find love.
This inquisitiveness that both characters share is why they got off the train.
Their natural chemistry is palpable from their first conversation on the train.
Yet Jesse and Celine are two different people with distinct personalities.
Jesse is a pessimist, as evidenced by his dismissal of the poem by the river.
Celine is a hopeful romantic, willing to take risks for love.
Celine is more vulnerable and open to exploring life with Jesse.
I know its almost impossible to succeed, but who cares really?
The answer must be in the attempt.
Listening is equally as satisfying as talking.
Theyre drawn to each other like magnets.
By getting off that train, they decided to be vulnerable with each other.
For Jesse and Celine, the juice (opening up to one another) is worth the squeeze.
Theres a sense of hope at the beginning of every budding relationship.
You want things to work out, even if they go haywire.
It leads to one of the films best lines, which comes from Celine.
Why does everyone think conflict is so bad?
There’s a lot of good things coming out of conflict.
Before Sunrise is definitely the most hopeful of the three movies, as it should be.
Young love should be aspirational.
At times, its irrational.
Thats the beauty of Before Sunrise and its realistic depiction of a courtship between two young adults.
Things rarely make sense at that age.
Just have an open mind and a willingness to listen and ask questions, just like Jesse and Celine.
However, learn from their mistake.
Rent/buy “Before Sunrise” onAmazonorApple
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