3 Films That Get Relationships Right
3. Before Sunset
Probably a lot of you saw this one coming. There is no film Im more looking forward to in 2013 than Before Midnight because Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, and Julie Delpy have, over the past 18 years, taken us on a remarkable (and remarkably realistic) journey of love. It began in Before Sunrise (1995) as two young people meeting by chance on a train and deciding to spend an evening together exploring Vienna. Not to give too much away, but we next catch up with Jesse and Celine nine years later in Paris in Before Sunset (2004). And this year we get to peek into their lives once more in Greece. I have occasionally heard arguments that these arent good movies and these mostly center around the fact that nothing happens. And its true that we dont have Cuba Gooding Jr. doing a touchdown dance that leads to Tom bursting into a living room and Renee interrupting him with, You had me at hello. But stuff does happen and I maintain that its absolutely as romantic as Jerry Maguire. The stuff that happens is, perhaps, more ordinary but ordinary doesnt have to be a synonym for dull. You catch someones eye across the aisle and theres that spark. You strike up a conversation and that spark grows. Dont we live for that sort of thing? There are a finite number of things that really make us feel alive, skydiving perhaps, or watching our team execute a perfect two-minute drill to win a football game. But that list would also include flirting, especially when its leading to love. And thats the thing that happens in the Before movies. Youll notice I specifically pointed out Before Sunset for this list. As much as I appreciate the first film (and as much as its important to the full story), this trio of filmmakers really nailed it in their second effort. Taking place in real time, we meander through Paris with Celine and Jesse as they talk about life and love. For their efforts, Richard, Julie, and Ethan were nominated for an Oscar for the screenplay (how often does that happen with a sequel?). I would have actually given them the statuette because the dialog is so spot-on that it doesnt take much imagination for me to picture having this exact conversation with an old flame.