'Best chemistry ever' in 'charming' film with 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating
Director Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise, the inaugural film of the acclaimed Before trilogy, is often hailed as the quintessence of romantic cinema by enthusiasts.
The 1995 romantic drama, penned by Linklater and Kim Krizan, features Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in a captivating lead duo. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Vienna, the film chronicles the fleeting connection between two strangers over the course of an evening as they meander through the city.
Drawing from his personal life, Linklater is said to have modelled the story on a night he spent roaming Philadelphia with a woman. The casting of Hawke and Delpy as the protagonists was a meticulous process that spanned nine months.
The narrative continued with Before Sunset in 2004 and concluded with Before Midnight in 2013, cementing the trilogy's status as a touchstone for cinematic romance.
Julie Delpy shared insights into her creative input during a Guardian interview: "Richard, Ethan and I produced the script together, though Ethan and I weren't credited for Before Sunrise. The process was totally collaborative: all three of us had to agree on ideas for scenes. That's how we did Before Sunset and Before Midnight, too. If one of us hated something, it wouldn't make the film. From the start, those guys wanted the balance of a proper female voice.", reports the Express.
Before Sunrise has not only won over critics, securing a flawless 100 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but also charmed viewers, boasting an impressive 93 per cent audience score.
One critic hailed the film as "utterly charming", while another was captivated by its subtle magic: "The charm - the midsummer enchantment - never feels forced; it steals up and wins you. A true romance."
Another reviewer declared it "undoubtedly one of the most romantic movies of all time", with yet another adding: "There are so many perfect moments in this film; it is hard to list them without excluding others."
Director Richard Linklater received heaps of praise, with a critic noting: "Seemingly improvised and entirely natural but still structured and splendidly directed by writer Richard Linklater."
The lead actors also received high acclaim for their captivating performances: "Hawke and Delpy keep the tone not only afloat but mesmerising. So natural are their performances that it seems impossible not to believe they truly are soulmates who are locked in a doomed, all-too-short affair."
In a candid 2022 interview with The Independent, Ethan Hawke reflected on his deep connection to the film, stating: "There's a lot of myself and my reality in those movies [the Before trilogy]. They're as deeply connected to me as anything could be. I can't look at Before Sunrise now without remembering, so vividly, that time period. Who I was then is so different from who I am now; it's difficult for me to watch it and exorcise it from my actual life."
One fan was utterly captivated by the film, awarding it top marks and sharing: "10/10. I wanted to focus on the incredible love story that is Before Sunrise. Richard Linklater found a special energy and aura when creating this masterpiece. There is something so beautiful and honest with this film. I can't explain it, and neither can anyone who's ever watched this film."
Another viewer was equally impressed, stating: "Nothing else quite catches the true essence of romance like Before Sunrise did."
An audience review concurred with the high praise, declaring: "Definitely the best romance movie of all time."
The lead actors' connection also drew admiration, with another fan expressing: "Ethan Hawke and Julie Dehpy have maybe the best chemistry in a movie I have ever seen, it all feels so natural. The direction is incredible, the script is one of the best I have ever seen, the city feels like a person and the locations are beautiful, but still grounded."
For those looking to experience the magic themselves, Before Sunrise is available for rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video at £3.49.
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