Before Sunrise / Before Sunset (DVD)

Advantages: Story.Characters.Realistic feel
Disadvantages: Wanted it to be longer in duration!

...The sequel to the romantic film before sunrise took almost a decade to come out. Before sunrise ended with the lovers(strangers is a better word actually) going apart in the railway station. For years, different viewers must have thought of a different end to the story.We kept wondering how the story really ended. I don't think that the sequel was on the cards initially, but probably the makers felt there was a possibility of a sequel here. Who's complaining? What we have here is a film which is equally beautiful, romantic and realistic. Its usually hard to match up to the first film of a series but this is an exception. If people thought they had met after those months and got together, they are in for a surprise(Then again, they would not have made another film if they already ended up together in the first place). The story continues... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Masterful performances, pacing, visually stunning, touching story.
Disadvantages: May lack something without knowlege of the first film.

...I am a relative newcomer to the world of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Even though the first film, released in 1995, has built up a large cult following since it's release, I had to admit that until fairly recently, I was rather oblivious to it all. However, a number of people kept advising that I see it, and eventually I did, and was completely blown away. The simple tale of characters falling in love over the course of one night had so much more depth than I possibly could have imagined. Once I had seen the first, I was going to have to see the second, even though I have never encountered a sequel that managed to live up to the first film. However, one thirty mile trip into London to see it later, and I'm happy to say that this is the first sequel I've ever seen that manages to be equal the first film in every way, and in some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Beautiful storytelling, wonderful dialog, moving performances.
Disadvantages: None.

...is it only now that it is has gained it's richly deserved cult status? Of course, as I previously stated in my Before Sunset review, I am no better in this than those I seem to be complaining about. I only discovered the film this year despite it being released in 1995, and I tend to see everything. Admittedly this isn't helped by the utter disgrace that is a lack of a UK DVD of the film, but it does go to show how easily such a gem can be missed. Before Sunrise's tale is a simple one. Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American slacker on his last day of touring Europe meets Celine (Julie Delpy), a French student as they share the same train on route to their destinations. She's returning to university in Paris, he has a flight to catch in Vienna. When they reach Vienna though, he suggests to her that she get off the train with him... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful