Before Sunrise

Undoubtedly one of the most romantic movies of all time, Before Sunrise follows two strangers (Ethan Hawke’s Jesse and Julie Delpy’s Celine) as they meet on a train and immediately hit it off – with the film detailing the pair’s subsequent walk through the streets of Venice. It’s a simple premise that’s executed to impressively engrossing effect by filmmaker Richard Linklater, as the director, working from a screenplay cowritten with Kim Krizan, kicks the proceedings off with a captivating meet-cute that’s heightened by the palpable chemistry between Hawke and Delpy. The characters’ utterly charming dynamic ensures that their conversations are, for the most part, far more compelling than one might’ve anticipated, with Linklater and Krizan’s script packed full of cogent observations about topics as varied as relationships, death, and religion. It goes without saying, of course, that Before Sunrise is at its best during its more blatantly romantic moments, with, in particular, Jesse and Celine’s first kiss ranking high on the movie’s list of swoon-worthy sequences. (The film’s highlight, however, is an absolutely spellbinding scene involving the couple’s imaginary phone calls to their respective friends.) And although movie does hit a bit of a lull in its slightly overlong midsection, Before Sunrise recovers for a gripping final stretch detailing Jesse and Celine’s efforts at figuring out where to take their newfound relationship – which ultimately does cement the picture’s place as a unique and completely disarming modern romance.

***1/2 out of ****