MovieChat Forums > Before Sunrise (1995) Discussion > Still my favorite movie, but this movie ...

Still my favorite movie, but this movie is weird from a 2021 perspective

posted 4 years ago by motorcycledriveb (303)
6 replies | jump to latest

I first saw this movie either in 2014 or 2015. I've watched it a few times each year since then.

I consider this movie to be in my top 5 favorite movies ever. But recently, I feel distance from this movie. Because it seems totally unrealistic now. I'm bitter towards it almost, because this movie does not portray our current reality at all. It's so far from current times.

Jesse and Celine don't have to deal with the internet, phones, Trump, rogue politics, or a pandemic. The other thing is, I'm 25. A lot of people in my generation are single. I don't have to go into details - my generation is not very romantic, lol.

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

That's sad. When I was younger I was thrilled to meet someone with whom I had an emotional and intellectual attraction with, as well as a physical attraction. Being with someone who excites your senses and chatting the night away felt like nirvana to me.

[–] motorcycledriveb (303) 4 years ago

How old are you? You said "When I was younger.." which causes me to think you're in your 30s or 40s. The dating scene now is very different from when you were my age. Half of the people I know are single. We live in an age of disruption now.

A) I'm not that attractive. B) My job sucks the energy out of me. And it is hard to talk with people. C) I dunno. Maybe it's also bad luck. I've had girlfriends before, but it's been a long time. The last few years have been disasters for me. Haven't really been in a romantic mood due to the disasters.

[–] snepts (11123) 4 years ago

If you are telling me this is not a great time to be dating, I'm sure you are right.
I was just reflecting how when I felt young and free to meet new people, the idea of chatting the night away, even if it seemed in some kind of chaste manner, felt very comfortable and rewarding. Getting to have sex wasn't the primary goal, just for me personally.
So, Before Sunrise was a real charmer for me. Not realistic, even then, but close enough to what I might think of as a wonderful encounter.
And the subsequent films explore this, taking the air out of the balloon a bit.
Real life gets messy, even with such a charming start.

[–] motorcycledriveb (303) 4 years ago

I am a very particular kind of person. I am somewhat of a "Linklater" character, in a way. For me especially, it's harder to find someone. I'm so weird, dude.

I think Sunrise is the most enjoyable out of the 3. A lot of "urgency" is in Sunrise, compared to the rest of the movies. I need to rewatch Before Midnight, I've seen that one the least amount of times. I want a fourth movie and they will have to film it this coming year if they're going to do one. According to recent interviews, it sounds like there won't be a fourth film, though unfortunately. I think it would be difficult. I'm fine with just 3 movies.

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

The rise of social media along with increased acceptance of online dating/hookups has dramatically changed the dating landscape. First impressions work a bit differently when all you have is few photos, a tiny bullshit profile, and some superficial joke to start the conversation.

(Yes, I know, when you meet someone at a bar, all you have is your current outfit and some shitty lead-in topic to start a conversation, but there's just so much more there than you can vibe off of.)

That said, I don't think these changes make the movie weird. Even with the internet and cell phones, this meeting like this could totally happen in this way, especially because of what they agreed to do.

As for the politics and pandemic...lol well...isn't that how we feel about any piece of fiction that we get sucked in it? You don't need a pandemic to romanticize a world in a book or a movie. But it's best not to feel such bitterness over a story.

[–] xanthas (3215) 3 years ago

It makes me so nostalgic. Back in the 90s, I remember having political conversations with people who did not share my views, but back then there was not so much of the vile hatred that people like trump brought into the public discourse. And also, you didn't have to worry about social media. Heaven!!