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I Love These Characters!
by DeaJ (movies profile)
Feb 20, 2008
14
of
24 people found this review helpful
I've never been a fan (nor a dectractor) of Ethan Hawke, but I'm coming to understand that he may be one of the most subtle and generous actors working today. Unassuming and unshowy, he leads and supports and allows his co-stars (I'm thinking here of Julie Delpy but also of Denzel Washington in Training Day) to shine, shine, shine, much like a male ballroom dancer leads and supports his female partner so that she may exhibit all the flourish. That said, Julie Delpy is simply a joy to behold. I could not take my eyes off of her.
The movie is essentially a real-time running conversation between two characters who are meeting for only the second time, nine years after their first encounter. Its as though they've been holding their breath all these years and are at last able to breathe fresh air again. I have a feeling that these characters are much more interesting in each others presence than apart. That no one understands them as well as they do each other.
Not simply a romance or comedy, Before Sunset is also a gentle valentine to the process of aging. It is such a treat to study the faces and gestures of Jesse and Celine and see how it is that they've changed over the years. I'd love to see another installment in another nine or ten years...
I could not possibly have enjoyed this film any more than I did! A must-see for Before Sunrise fans, however I think that it stands on its own perfectly well and one could enjoy it thouroughly without ever having seen Sunrise. I only hope that the filmmakers will continue to return to these characters in successive decades. It really does leave us wishing for more. |
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