Boz
Published writer
Posts: 1,451
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Post by Boz on Jan 22, 2007 2:20:45 GMT
Before Sunrise (1995/Linklater)Originally Written 6/8/06A simplistic and incredibly minimalist study of love and blossoming relationships as exemplified by a young couple who meet on a fateful night in Vienna. Perfectly acted by really the only two characters with more than 10 minutes of screen time in the whole film, played by Ethan Hawke with a surprisingly amazing performance, and the little-known Julie Delpy. Richard Linklater was wise to try to make this film nothing more than what it wants to be; a beautiful study of two strangers falling in love. It seems as though films set entirely in the space of one 24-hour-or-less period don’t really seem to work as there’s no room for true character and story development, but with so much of the film focused on our two main players, there was no cause for complaint. The film also did a fantastic job of keeping the story very simple while not losing the viewer’s interest, which a film of this type runs the risk of. This is also some of the greatest writing I’ve ever heard, so realistic, compelling, and interesting, and always remaining true to the characters. The only slight problem with the film was the lack of music, although repeat viewings may lead the viewer’s feeling as though this adds to the reality and atmosphere of the film. Besides that one minor flaw, a really fantastic film in all other aspects.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Feb 2, 2007 0:17:16 GMT
Before Sunrise Richard Linklater 1995 USA A young American and French student meet on a train in Budapest and decide to spend the night together, before she leaves for Paris. Suitably awkward in its acting, presenting us with two very naïve young individuals who strive for connection. It's very artificial, but very self-conscious: the guy late on in the film, with time running out (in both the narrative time and film duration), laments: "We're back in real time." It's not exactly real-time, but the sense of things having gone by too quick (an entire night in a ninety-minute film) is telling. An extended, almost interesting conversation between two people which half succeeds at counteracting cheap, superficial dialogue with plausible, flawed characters.
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Post by svsg on Dec 3, 2009 17:46:28 GMT
Caught this on TV recently, but I missed the beginning scenes. It was interesting enough for me to watch it till the end, but was left with a feeling of "seen too many of these type" and essentially no lasting impact. How do you guys rate the sequel compared to this?
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Post by ronnierocketago on Dec 3, 2009 19:01:15 GMT
The trilogy needs to be finished.
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Omar
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Professione: reporter
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Post by Omar on Dec 3, 2009 19:17:27 GMT
I've seen the "sequel" more than once, so I rate it a lot higher than this one, but I still remember liking this film a lot and would consider it among Linklater's best.
Though whereas 'Sunrise' plays with time, 'Sunset' is actually in real time, and is a more tragic film, in that you see the change in people over the years and regret and all sorts of stuff like that.
I'd like to watch both again real soon. I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to make a third installment. 'Sunset' ended on a perfect ambiguous note.
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Capo
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Post by Capo on Dec 3, 2009 19:57:26 GMT
Viewing this probably precludes an understanding of the second film, but the latter is much better, I think. The sense of immediacy got from unfolding in real time can't be over-stressed.
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Omar
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Post by Omar on Dec 3, 2009 20:54:21 GMT
Yeah, I forgot to say that this film establishes context for the next. Though I saw 'Sunset' first.
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