Hot and cold love

Before Sunset

Stars Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy. Rated M.

Reviewer: Rachel Irving

Worth watching

Before Sunset is one of the most graceful and thoughtprovoking movies I’ve seen in some time.

The chemistry between Hawke and Delpy is almost tangible and was immediately swept up in their conversation – like somehow being there, spying on them.

It was like walking with them as they recounted their meeting and confessed how deeply their initial meeting had impacted on their lives.

They are awkward and yet relaxed with each other – a sign of an ob vious flame which has never died though the years have slipped away.

I loved Before Sunset because it was just a conversation.

Being enveloped in the moment with them left me yearning for more – I wanted to be there in Paris to know what the ending would be.

It wasn’t an action blockbuster – just two people who got caught in a moment.

Do something else

How well can you know someone after spending only 12 hours with them 10 years ago?

Is it possible you are soul mates whose lives never quite feel complete until you meet again?

The answers are very little and not likely.

With a little magic, this movie could have worked.

Before Sunset shouldn’t be a bad film.

Before Sunrise was beautiful.

This, its sequel, should have flowed on.

It doesn’t.

Hawke is gaunt as Jesse.

His eyes have lost the light they once had.

He doesn’t look like a modest author, publicising his book in Paris – he looks washed up.

His book is about a whirlwind relationship with a girl he met for a few hours – based on meeting Delpy (Celine).

Will their next meeting have the same end as his book? P

aris should be the perfect backdrop, but this movie lacks conviction.

Reviewer: LT Simone Heyer