Title: Before Sunset
Country: United States of America
Language:
- English
- French
Cast:
- Ethan Hawke
- Julie Delpy
- Vernon Dobtcheff
- Louise Lemoine Torres
- Rodolphe Pauly
- Mariane Plasteig
- Diabolo
- Demos Evrard
- Albert Delpy
- Marie Pillet
SYNOPSIS
Nine years after Jesse and Céline first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse's book tour.
REVIEW
Before Sunset is about two individuals who had an intense connection in the past, and how they got together for a few hours many years later. Although it is a continuation, it is basically like its prequel Before Sunrise, except it is set in a different city.
I think it's amazing that Céline and James Wallace, also known as Jesse, had candid and honest conversations about everything under the sun, and how they still felt comfortable with each other considering that it has been almost a decade since they last met.
I just don't think I'd be as forthcoming with my thoughts and opinions if I were in their situation, but that's probably because I'm a very guarded person. Actually, even if I'm close to a person at a certain point in time, if it has been a while since I communicated with him, I'd feel awkward the next time I see him, almost as if he's a complete stranger.
Because the focus of the film is the characters' dialogues, I love how the topics are thought-provoking, and how Céline and Jesse talked endlessly as if they are really speaking as they are thinking, without regard to organizing their thoughts in their minds first.
The film was set in Paris, France but because the beautiful city is Céline's home, she became Jesse's walking tour guide and translator. I think it's interesting how Céline was against doing anything touristy in Paris.
However, I didn't really like the ending of Before Sunset. Although Jesse is unhappy with his marriage to someone else, I didn't like how he missed his plane and stayed in Paris. It wasn't clear but it was implied that he will be intimate with Céline.
I feel like that's something he shouldn't have done because even though he doesn't love his wife, he should at least accord her enough respect as a person. I just really don't condone cheating, mostly because it's a conscious choice to do something while knowing that you will be hurting another person.
I know it's not always possible to start or end things the right way, but for those instances wherein you can make that choice, why not?! I mean, it would be infinitely better if Jesse and Céline rekindled their relationship without Céline being the other woman in Jesse's marriage.
Related:
Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Midnight (2013)
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Before Sunset
