Before Sunrise

'Before Sunrise" is a movie that I watched recently on my roomies laptop. To simply say that I enjoyed the movie would be an understatement. This is one of those movies which will stay with me for a long time to come. I do not know why but I have increasingly found myself inclined towards movies which relies heavily on dialogues. In this case the theme of the movie itself is a conversation between the two protagonists. Theres nothing else. The moment I read abt this in a blog, I knew I had to watch this.I will breifly outline how the story progresses. The guy n the gal r both travelling in train which is going to Paris. He is an American heading for Vienna n shes a French going to Paris. They bump into each other and instantly strike a rapport. Both seem to have some thing in common. Internal angst n a constant strife to come to terms with the reality. When the train stops at Vienna the he accosts her to join him in Vienna to spend the day together and leave the next morning. Although the idea appears crazy to her initially she gives in, unable to resist the force that is bonding them. And so they walk the streets of Vienna sharing their views on life, religion, sex, relationships, beauty,music etc. The more they find abt each other the more they discover the commonality they have. They even hold antagonistic views regarding some topics like the role played by each in a male-female relationship. However they appreciate the differences and reconciles. So we bear witness to the growing closeness between them. At one point they engage in a passionate kiss with the setting sun as back drop. The air of romantisicm is subtle yet vivid. The scene in restaurant where each one pretend to call his/her friend back home and mentions abt how he/she met n what they like & dislike abt each other is simply endearing. As night falls , they spend the night in a park gazing at the star lit sky and then later in each other arms (no they dont make love !!!!). The next morning they part with the lady boarding the train after frenzied kissing and promising to meet at the same place after six months. In the last frame the camera focusses on those places they had visited and which appears so desolate now as if the soul is missing. The melancholiness in the air is touching.

The narration in the movie is near flawless. The way the camera follows the couple as they serenade the streets of Vienna is techincally correct. So are the dialogues. As I mentioned before the movie rests on the dialogues. The way the conversation flows as they switch from on topic to another is seamless. The male protagonist (played by Ethan Hawke) appears flirty at times. I feel there was no need to add this dimension to his character. The female character is the gem of the movie. She will strike a chord or two in your heart. The background score is also apt as is required in movie with such theme. In short the movie is a example of deft cinematic work. Not to be missed.