Before Sunrise (1995)

favorite richard linklater film?

and what is your favorite moment from that film?

What I love about Linklater is that he is so skillful with the long take. The first Linklater film I saw was “Waking Life” which did prominently use long takes but I didn’t appreciate it much because I was more interested in the rotoscope animation he chose to use. It wasn’t until I saw “Slacker” when I saw what he was able to do with the long take, and it was really good. I don’t really think that he communicated a satisfactorily potent story in those films and didn’t see his capabilities with story until I saw “Dazed and Confused” which was really a great film.

Linklater’s work didn’t fully click with me, though. Until I saw “Before Sunrise.” He took the strong elements of “Dazed and Confused” and “Slacker” and weaved them together to make something truly compelling. The great, romantic story in “Before Sunrise” worked in perfect conjunction with strong characters and talented actors to create a truly exhilarating film that brought life to Linklater’s long takes. Although, I think the true strength of the films overall is without a doubt Julie Delpy’s Celine and Ethan Hawk’s Jesse who both were so impressive in making the scenes seem so naturalistic with takes that really don’t give them much room for error. Linklater reintroduced Jesse and Celine almost a decade later more mature, more impressive, less self conscious and with less naivete, but also no less infatuated with each other than they were nine years ago in “Before Sunset.” I think “Before Sunset” improved upon everything that its predecessor had excelled in, and even improved “Before Sunrise” itself (as well as making the two films pleasantly reminiscent of McCarey’s romantic classic “An Affair to Remember,” but without the wheelchair!) That’s an impressive thing to have done!

And then there was everything else Linklater has done which, from the ones that I’ve seen (“Fast Food Nation,” “Bad News Bears,” “School of Rock”) have failed to impress me. His adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s excellent novel, “A Scanner Darkly” had Linklater unwelcomingly revisit rotoscope animation, and made the film painfully mediocre despite already having a great story and the immense talents of Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves (who, yes, can potentially be an effective actor re: River’s Edge, The Lake House). I think so much of the potential for effectiveness was lost as a result of the animation.

Without a doubt Linklater will make something great again, but hopefully without having to resort to a visitation of Jesse and Celine in their 40s (although, I certainly wouldn’t mind it!).

Before Sunrise (1995) – one of the best film scenes ever

Before Sunrise $3.36 American traveller Ethan Hawke and French student Julie Delpy meet while on a Vienna-bound train and share a mutual attraction. With less than 24 hours before having to go their separate ways, the two decide to explore their feelings and Vienna at the same time. A change of pace for director Richard Linklater, this delicate romance features affecting performances and gorgeous scenery. 101 min. Sta...

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Before Sunrise 1995 ...