A chance meeting aboard a train
from Budapest to Paris results in a wonderfully constructed
whirlwind romance for two strangers. Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is travelling alone
through Europe when he begins talking to the
pretty French lady across the isle from him. That woman is Céline (Julie Delpy)
who is on her way back to Paris
after visiting her grandmother in the Hungarian capital. They strike up a
friendly conversation which continues in the dining car before Jesse’s stop in Vienna approaches.
Sensing a connection he suggests that Céline disembarks with him to continue
their discussion. She impulsively agrees and the duo spends the night wandering
Vienna
together.
Before Sunrise lacks any sort of plot but is nevertheless
beautifully written and structured. I never once wished for something to happen
besides the continuing conversation and discovery. The dialogue is deeply woven
and superbly delivered by two actors on top form. Their connection seems so
real that it’s hard to believe that the actors themselves didn’t end up
together. Nothing is forced and the conversations meander naturally while at
all times remaining high brow and intellectually stimulating. Occasionally
there is a lull in the engagement I had with the dialogue but this still works
as it’s how one would react when listening to any long conversation.
