Before Sunrise has, in description, the appearance of an idealist’s romance: its duration is devoted solely to a relationship of utmost succinctness and pure infatuation. It is this very quality that I think mars romantic films, as they tend to abbreviate the experience, omitting the awkwardness and insecurity that are in tandem with infatuation. Before Sunrise is able to avoid these qualities because of the scenario – a boy and girl who have less than a day to spend with each other – and the result is engrossing. The pair are established with some contrivance – he is a cynic, and she an optimist – but they are less artificial than the title pair in Harold and Maude (a great film, distinguished by its exaggerated characterization). Knowledge of the sequel (which I have not seen), however, ruins the film’s perfect ending, but I read it’s a well done follow-up.
by Rumsey Taylor | Source: Cable Television
26 Jun 2005 1:55 PM | Submit Comment