Before Sunset

Nine years ago, I heard of a little movie about two people meeting on a train and spending one night in Vienna. Before Sunrise was the movie on everyone's mind that year. It was particularly poignant since that was the year I would make my first trip to Europe.

I can't remember why I didn't see it, but some of my friends spoke of it, excited because they were going to Europe too. The school choir made up of seventeen and eighteen year-olds was going to Istanbul, Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and Vienna. Back then, a girlfriend and I were heavily caught up with the idea of soulmates and that strange chemistry between two people who are perfectly in sync, liking the same things, speaking the same language, just knowing what the other felt. She had seen it and the movie struck a chord in her. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy played their parts wonderfully and although the movie could be criticized as one long conversation, the conversation let you see the two characters through and through, and the terrific bond they shared for some fourteen hours.

Nine years after that meeting, the two meet in Paris, where Jesse, Hawke's character, is on a book tour. Celine, played by Delpy, frequents the store where he's reading and knows about his book, which has quite a bit to do with that one night they spent in Vienna. How will they part this time? With a promise they won't keep again?

I finally watched the first part tonight and must say that their talk reminds me so much of how I was nine years ago. Young, hopeful, idealistic. Reviews of the sequel say the two characters have matured, their faces show the years that have passed. I can't wait to see it later this summer.

What I liked about Before Surise is how realistic Jesse and Celine are. Listen to how Jesse speaks and you know you've met an American like that before. And Celine's craziness isn't too far-fetched. The realism makes you feel for the characters. They're familiar in a good way; you can see them aging along with you.

I wish I could write more about the bittersweetness of chance meetings and not meeting the other person again. I used to daydream about such tragic situations. Now, I worry mostly about whether my luggage is too heavy and whether I've replied to enough emails for the day. Gosh, I've degenerated, haven't I? I've moved on and left the romantic behind. Maybe I should make a trip to Europe again. Renew a part of myself. Maybe next year, Lin Kiat and I will go.

Go see the trailer here.

Posted by Monoceros at May 19, 2004 12:39 AM