This year is the 20th anniversary of Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. Since then, every 10 years more or less, we have had another film in the series: Before Sunset and Before Midnight.
Movie Mezzanine asked me to write an anniversary piece about Before Sunrise and I was happy to comply.
Dear Sheila,
A lovely, insightful piece. I’m revising the introductory lecture for my module (Politics of the Arts) for next week, which surveys the broader effects of the arts from a sociologists’ perspective (from sheer escapism, to encouraging a sense of wonder, to creating deep moral/emotional shocks, and the like). For a section on how the arts help improve our critical understanding of the world and our own lives, I was planning a section on arts and time -with specific reference to the Linklater films, 7 up, Smoke, the Nicholas Nixon photos of his wife’s siblings (now in its 40th year)- so this gave me a lot to think about. I love the Before trilogy even if the last one I found very difficult to watch and I remember being specifically upset by the tremors arising from the very line you quote from Celine when she pointedly asks Jess “would you get off the train with me as I am now”. Anyone who has experienced tough break-ups knows just how much that line resonates within our heads on a regular basis. But what really got me was that, despite multiple viewings, I had somehow failed to clock that it all took place on Bloomsday! How cool.
And a lovely tribute to your granny as well. best, John
John – every time you tell me about your various classes, I want to sign up to audit them. They sound amazing!!
Before Midnight was very upsetting!
I think all in all Before Sunset might be favorite – her freak-out in the car at the end – “Don’t touch me!” – and his loving and taken-aback fear of her – “Even though you have become an angry bipolar activist, I’m just so happy to see you.”
And oh my gosh, so psyched that I passed on the Bloomsday information then! It jumped out at me, immediately – and I was like, “Ohhhh, okay, yup, that’s totally right for what he’s doing here.”
I still think Before Sunrise would have a certain level of stature even if the other two hadn’t followed, if it had been a stand-alone film. But the other two certainly add to its legacy.
And how awesome that none of them are duds? That they are all true to the spirit/feel/style of the original – long takes, long walk and talks, long conversations, a frank ongoing discussion about feminism that courses throughout (when does THAT happen in film?), and the way we listen and talk to one another. The “game” aspect of it too – “Let’s pretend we time travel” “Let’s pretend you call your friend at home and tell them about me …”
It’s just so gratifying that all three films are good.
I can’t wait for the next one. :)
and thank you for your kind words about my grandmother. I appreciate it.