Review of Before Sunrise (1995) by Gavn' W — 16 Feb 2013

Before Sunrise and Before Sunset are easily two of the best romance films I've ever seen, and by far the most romantic films I've seen. That sounds like a big statement, which it is, but it's absolutely true.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are both absolutely amazing, and their performances create two unforgettable and believable characters, Jesse and Celine. They don't just play the characters, they completely embody them and make you feel like you've known them forever.

Aside from the acting though, Before Sunrise is extraordinary in so many ways. The script is perfectly written and all of the dialogue is very realistic but passionate and thoughtful. The direction is fantastic, with a few scenes standing out as especially memorable.

One scene that is especially wonderful involves Jesse and Celine sitting in a music booth listening to a song together. Both characters sit next to each other without saying anything, Jesse staring at Celine when she isn't looking and vice versa.

The scene lasts for a few minutes, and despite its simplicity it feels so real and, because of this believability, very beautiful as well. This scene is everything that's great about Before Sunrise and Before Sunset; they take seemingly mundane occurrences that these characters experience together and turn them into powerful moments that speak to us on a deep emotional level.

Whether Before Sunrise is better than its sequel is debatable, but regardless of which is better, Before Sunrise is an extraordinary film that puts all its competition to shame. A wonderfully passionate and heartfelt romance, and possibly one of the best you will ever see.