Before Sunrise+ Before Sunset

Sorry for not posting for this long, but i would have to shoot myself in the head if I was writing a stupid blog when Mood Indigo was on. So, this time I decided to review a hardcore romantic movie. Two of them actually, they're a series. Now, before you guys jump to conclusions, this is not like the Twilight Saga in any way imaginable, at all. Just get that out of your head, distance yourself from it, forget it, this movie is not a pile of bullshit, i will put a load of shit on that later. The sole reason I am reviewing this is that this is probably the only hardcore romantic movie that i've liked apart from Brokeback Mountain.

When?

There is a phase that occurs to every guy in IIT after a certain while. This happened to me twice, the first during my trip to Goa, and the second being all throughout Mood Indigo. The phase being "Why am I still single?". Seriously, don't you girls know how to choose? It's like every second guy I see with a hot girl and i'm like "Oh c'mon, are you kidding me?" Well, my uneventful love life can wait. Right after Mood Indigo, sitting alone, tired, filled with self pity I decided to watch this film. It was a bad decision ultimately, reasons for which will become clear when I explain the plot.

What's It about?

The movie's essentially about a guy and a girl who meet on a train and spend a day together in Vienna. They both know this will be their only day together. (for the first film)

The characters meet after 9 years in Paris and spend a day together in Paris. (for the second film)

That's all there is to it, i'm not making this shit up. Go to IMDB, they'll tell you the same thing.

Huh?

Before you go comparing this to a bloody Shahrukh Khan film. (Hate that dude..) The movie is essentially just exceptional dialogue and acting. They're all there is to the movie. So simple and yet so pretty. It's like The White Stripes. They're a two piece band, but a lot better than one direction. You see the characters just walking through various places in Vienna. The great thing is the acting. There's a scene in the movie where the two walk into a small room to listen to a song. Completely natural, just casual but you can see the sexual tension in their behavior. It's just so evident, it makes you queasy. The conversations are totally natural, just the kind you would expect to have with a person you've just met. The most awesome thing I found about the movie is that the expressions of the actors depict their reactions to what the other person is saying. The people are so in character that you tend to connect to them immediately. The dialogue (for the most part) is non cheesy. The guys don't go like "I'll give up my life for you.." and the gals are not like "Ooohhhh... help me.. let me rub my fingers all over your six pack abs". They're not superhot models either, just decent looking people. That makes the movie a whole new level of legit. It's just two young, completely average people who meet on a train.
                                The other great thing about the movie is the fact that the characters are true to their age in both movies. In the first movie, they're young, immature and adventurous. In the second, more mature, burdened by responsibility and less romantic. It's clear from the way they act. The movies were made ten years apart so they obviously look the part. It's not like Aamir Khan trying to play a college student at all.

The Bad

The movie can become monotonous. I mean, it's like listening to too much of a good song. People who want something dramatic to happen every 30 minutes (like Nolan fans) should probably stay the hell away from this movie. It's a movie which you wanna see with patience. The whole experience is kind of like eavesdropping on your friend's conversations with his girlfriend. (we all know we've done it ). 

When do I see it?

Now, I'll answer why my timing was bad for this movie. See, in a moment of loneliness, this movie will make you want to kill yourself. Is love really that easy? Essentially it's just a one to one combination of people right? Why in the world did nature make it so hard for some of the single ones of us to find? If two people can meet on a train and have an instant connection, why can't I? So, moral is, see it with your girlfriend or crush. This movie will be enjoyed by everyone but for the "Despo" junta. This will not be like "Pyar ka Punchnama". This will feel like watching Taare Zammen Par on the day your grades come out. (I'm not joking, the feeling is that bad). Above all, even hough the movie is 1 and a half hour long, it feels like a two hour movie. It takes its time, so be patient and you will be rewarded. (kind of like cricket)

Final Verdict

This movie is Texbook Acting and screenplay. If you want to see these two aspects of moviemaking exploited fully, see this movie. It's exquisite. It's a little monotonous but yes authenticity requires that sometimes with such movies. See it on Valentine's day with your love interest, if you have one. For the others, watch the first half of "What happens in Vegas" and be proud to be single. Oh and yes, watch them together, makes for a complete experience.