Before Sunrise, Before Sunset.

"If there's any kind of magic in this world, 

it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, 

sharing something" - Before Sunrise. 

Tonight I finally watched these 2 movies that are long overdue. Before Sunrise was released back in 1995 and Before Sunset came out 9 years after, in 2004. The third and final instalment to complete this wonder of a story will be out soon, chronologically and aptly titled Before Midnight. And so I thought I better catch up with the first 2 really quick. 

It's been said that those who saw the first and liked it, were fascinated with the second and I can easily understand why. 

"Maybe it's a sense of entitlement. 

You know like whenever you feel like you deserve that new pair of shoes, you know. 

I mean it's okay to want things as long as you don't get pissed off if you don't get them. 

Life's hard, it's supposed to be. 

If we don't suffer we wouldn't learn a thing"- Before Sunset.

Before Sunrise introduced us to Jesse Wallace and Celine, two strangers who met on a train and ended up walking about in Vienna, chatting, connecting, sharing stories till the morning. And with so much chemistry between them. In the end, they parted, in a way they earlier agreed to be the most logical, that is not to exchange contacts. As they bid each other goodbye, they agreed to meet again at the same train station in 6 months time. 

I was hooked.

"Memories are a wonderful thing if you don't have to deal with the past"

 - Before Sunset.

Before Sunset pulled me in instantly from the very beginning. Jesse, having written a book based on his and Celine's night together, have gotten it published and has been touring cities to promote his book and is now on his last stop, Paris. 

As he gave his closing, his eyes met Celine's, who was standing at a distance, away from the small crowd. 

My heart jumped.

"If you don't believe in any kind of magic or mystery, you're basically as good as dead"

 - Before Sunset.

We then learned that one of them did turn up 6 months after their last night together while the other, due to a circumstance, couldn't, and therefore did not. But the discovery quickly gave way to other conversations and there was no trace of those 10 years between them, except for curiosity towards each other's life. 

"I see in them (people) little details so specific to each of them, 

that move me and that I miss and, will always miss. 

You can never replace anyone because everyone is made of such beautiful and specific details" 

- Before Sunset.

The story then grew intimate, intense and engaging, with doses of reality that at times proved pleasant while at other instances, unwelcomed, to say the least. The final scene, to me, was a delight, in a heart-breaking way. Celine playing guitar, singing one of her compositions that was written about Jesse. And then dancing to Nina Simone's, with Jesse, sitting there, watching, smiling. A smile that concealed much emotion.

I wept.

"What is love, right, if it's not respect, trust, admiration, and I've felt all those things" 

- Before Sunset.