With its refreshing dialogue and light conversational intimacy, this is why Before Sunrise will be in our hearts forever.

By Rachel Weisz

This year marks 29 years since the release of the darling romantic drama Before Sunrise. Set amongst a European backdrop basking in an Austrian sunset, the movie explores the growing intimacy of two lovers whose fate is set in the unknown. The 1995 film, directed by Richard Linklater and co-written with Kim Krizan is the inaugural installment in the Before trilogy, with Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013) following suit. 

The film explores a one-night romance between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), who meet on a train and decide to spend the evening talking and wandering along the streets of Vienna together. The couple’s long conversational discourse acts as the main arc of the film, touching on love, family and the passage of time. The emphasis on genuine human interaction mixed with that universal feeling of getting to know someone for the first time is what has retained the film’s allure over nearly three decades. Considering the two are from completely separate continents, the meet cute evokes a sense of hope and sentimentality, and as the film progresses you witness their soul entanglement — it is clear their futures will never be the same again. 

Despite ending on a cliffhanger, the film is refreshing to readers due to its air of authenticity within the warm conversational intimacy between Jesse and Céline. The significant change and growth of each character both as a couple and individually is also curated with such care, breathing life into the narrative. As they talk, we get a sense of each person’s being; their strengths and falls, their fears and desires. We are passengers on their journey, witnessing a once in a lifetime connection. 

There was no improvisation in the film, as Delpy notes in an article for The Guardian that Richard, Ethan and herself produced the script together, even though the actors weren’t credited. “The original script for the first film, Before Sunrise, was believe it or not kind of devoid of romance,” said Delpy. “[Richard] was keen to capture something very true, so wanted the two leads to be writers on the film as well — and he auditioned us about what we wanted to say. I talked about some stuff that ended up in the film, about God existing in the space between people.”

This collaborative process is what fused an aura of authenticity often not available in the rom-coms from our current zeitgeist, where scripted lines often overshadow chemistry between actors. The free-flowing exchanges between Jesse and Céline created a more balanced and spiritual connection between the two characters. The dialogue feels real, like a first date that obliviously transcends dinner, or a deep conversation with a beloved friend while wandering through memories in their home town.

In addition, the films inspire audiences to embrace the present moment. In a world where time seems to escape us, Before Sunrise serves as a poignant reminder to savour these intimate moments in life. Academy Award-winning films like Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind, and Her all echo similar sentiments of emotional intimacy and unguarded banter. These films, like Before Sunrise explore love and human connection through intense and intimate dialogue which resonates strongly with viewers and has a timeless appeal.

Whispers of a fourth film have been circling the internet for some time now — however these rumours have been squashed by the cast mates themselves. “We always promised ourselves that we wouldn’t force it,” Delpy said during an interview with a French news outlet. “If we didn’t find something…why push it and make a bad fourth one instead of keeping it a good trilogy?”

Even so, this story will continue to ripple through the cinematic landscape, all while leaving an indelible mark on the art of storytelling and the portrayal of genuine human connection on screen.