Film Analysis Paper # 1 (Before Sunset)
The meeting of Celine and Jesse has taken place after 9 years, since their romantic walks through Vienna, and they seem to be complete strangers. Each has his own life, he possesses favorite books and the family, where the laughter is not heard; she has a friend, in which she is not sure. They met, complained to each other, remembered last meeting and talked a lot. Both became older, both are passionate about some particular things in life. They do not live in misery and are alive and well. While watching the movie, it is easy to see the surprise of the two former lovers, when they began to walk through Paris, talking about everything and feeling each other close, as they were many years ago. It is not possible to express with the words, but the gestures and emotions of the main heroes make it perfectly clear to the audience that the love story of Jesse and Celine cannot simply disappear.
When Celine did not come for meeting, upset Jesse decided to write a book about their first meeting, which soon became a bestseller. Arriving at the presentation of his novel to Paris, he met his muse one more time. The couple did not have enough time for the long talks, as in the evening, Jesse had to fly. Before sunset, they have to sort out their feelings. What is noticeable, the meeting of the two heroes as well as their talks is closely associated with long walks in the streets of the eternal city of love and romance. From the first glance is possible to see that Paris is called so not in vain, as its’ planning with beautiful historical buildings, cozy cafes, wide embankment of Seine and a lot of areas for the tourists and city inhabitants is a real unique example of the world architecture, a gem of the world art.
Their meeting begins in an old and famous place- bookstore, Shakespeare and Co, which a lot of prominent writers, such as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs visited in the past. There are diverse bookstores all over the world, but different, almost perceptible energy is arising from the interiors of Shakespeare and Co store. Here is possible to find almost every book possible, everything from bestsellers to unknown volumes, “it is a treasure trove for any book lover and is more than a worthy stop for anyone visiting Paris” (The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations). All the film is imbued with the atmosphere of such places, as this bookstore, for example, Le Pure Café, where the main heroes stopped to drink a cup of coffee, continuing their talks on all imaginable topics. Paris is a city where a mixed use concept is applied with the highest skill. Houses, places of interest for the tourists, retail, restaurants and coffee shops are placed nearby, so it is easy simply to walk around and find everything what is necessary. Coffee shops in Paris are a separate talk, as not so many cities of the world can boast of having such a lively coffee culture, when all the streets of the city are full of pavement cafes, where the Parisians and guests of the town spend a lot of time, drinking coffee or wine and talking.
The entire planning of the city disposes to leisurely walks and unhurried talks. The city plan is designed so that it should be very friendly for the pedestrians, enjoying the city views or simply having rest in the parks or near the river Seine, which is a special place for all Parisians and tourists. Seine, is without any doubt, a significant part of the city’s identity, it the place for romantic meetings, family picnics and simply a beautiful place to spend the time. Tourist boats ply its waters, which allow a different way to observe the entire city.
Speaking about Paris, it is impossible not to say about such places of interest, as Notre Dame de Paris. Jesse is extremely impressed by the Cathedral when he and Celine are touring the city by boat and he sees it from the Seine. He tells an anecdote about a German soldier, who was given a task to blow up the church during World War II and could not do it because “it was just so beautiful” (Before Sunset). It is possibly there is nothing else to say about the Notre Dame Cathedral that hasn’t already been said. It is necessary to admit that it is and architectural object of a majestic beauty and a real gem of the world art. Paris has special areas, where dozens of classy antique stores are located, which the couple passes by, later they turn right into rue Charlemagne and Celine tells in details of her environmental work, then across the tiny passageway of Eginhard Street to Saint-Paul. This walk creates the real feeling of walk with the main heroes of the film; the atmosphere of an old historical city is ideally transferred to the viewers.
In conclusion, it is necessary to stress that “Before Sunset” film does not contain any violent scenes or rapidly changing actions, so popular in the modern cinematography; on the contrary, it is full of intelligent conversations and walks, but this attracts the most. The second part of the most wonderful love novels rests on mere endless dialogues, which miraculously make the viewers to listen, to perceive, and sometimes just to think and watch the happy faces of the main characters. From the very beginning of the film, viewers are penetrated with that rainbow and magical atmosphere, which lives in Paris. All around the main characters are drowning inside them: these cute little streets, quiet cafes, green and sunny landscapes of the park, they are seen sometimes only occasionally. They exist for viewers as something quite natural, but only as a background. The hope lives, hope and faith that these meetings were not accidental that these two have experienced so many wonderful moments of life together not in vain. The ending of the movie is very significant. Everyone should decide what to do with this couple: leave them together or separate forever.
Works Cited
Before Sunset. Hollywood: Richard Linklater, 2004. film.
The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations,. "Filming Locations For Before Sunset (2004)". N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
