Extreme Chemistry
In the modern movie era, I feel that we as an audience have grown accustomed to films that are at their deepest levels only visually stimulating. People are so easily molded when suspense and thrills make up the essence of a film. Trust me, I have some friends that will not see any other kind of movie because they label it as “boring.” Now that it is officially Oscar season, I have embarked upon my quest to watch as many nominated films as possible. Before Midnight has been nominated for best adapted screenplay, but I could not simply watch this third installment without first experiencing Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. What makes Sunrise so remarkable as a movie is that it is nearly the exact opposite of what common, dare I say, laymen viewers look for in a movie these days.
I was trying to reflect with my fiancée about what other movies we have seen Ethan Hawke in. His face is so familiar and yet it becomes difficult to identify his other works. Those of you Hawke-ians out there I’m sure are quick to yell out “Training Day” and “Dead Poets Society,” but alas, I have yet to watch those films myself (but soon!). In Sunrise, Hawke is curiously strong. Tandem with Julie Delpy, Hawke is able to produce chillingly natural-sounding dialogue. Director Richard Linklater has created one of those rare movies in which we the viewers are offered a glimpse of pure reality. Coupled with unavoidable chemistry between Delpy and Hawke, Linklater’s approach to capturing the natural abjections and stiffness of conversation is downright impressive.
Of course, I know there are some of you out there who will not find this movie even slightest bit interesting. It is a romance movie. It is a comedic movie. However, I would not call this movie a romantic comedy, which I feel has been stigmatized as a movie genre focusing more on sexual tension than anything else. This movie goes beyond that, which many will be quick to call "boring." I'll admit, there are points throughout the movie where one can zone in and out of the dialogue due to the fact that there simply is nothing really going on. However, those of you who can withstand the slow-paced nature of this movie may be rewarded.
It is a movie that makes you reflect not only the story at hand, but perhaps upon personal experiences. I guarantee that those of you who enjoy this film and make it all the way through without any reservations will be chomping at the bit to see the second and third installments! Simply put, it's a good movie. Fellas, wait to watch this one with a special someone.
Written January 28, 2014
I was trying to reflect with my fiancée about what other movies we have seen Ethan Hawke in. His face is so familiar and yet it becomes difficult to identify his other works. Those of you Hawke-ians out there I’m sure are quick to yell out “Training Day” and “Dead Poets Society,” but alas, I have yet to watch those films myself (but soon!). In Sunrise, Hawke is curiously strong. Tandem with Julie Delpy, Hawke is able to produce chillingly natural-sounding dialogue. Director Richard Linklater has created one of those rare movies in which we the viewers are offered a glimpse of pure reality. Coupled with unavoidable chemistry between Delpy and Hawke, Linklater’s approach to capturing the natural abjections and stiffness of conversation is downright impressive.
Of course, I know there are some of you out there who will not find this movie even slightest bit interesting. It is a romance movie. It is a comedic movie. However, I would not call this movie a romantic comedy, which I feel has been stigmatized as a movie genre focusing more on sexual tension than anything else. This movie goes beyond that, which many will be quick to call "boring." I'll admit, there are points throughout the movie where one can zone in and out of the dialogue due to the fact that there simply is nothing really going on. However, those of you who can withstand the slow-paced nature of this movie may be rewarded.
It is a movie that makes you reflect not only the story at hand, but perhaps upon personal experiences. I guarantee that those of you who enjoy this film and make it all the way through without any reservations will be chomping at the bit to see the second and third installments! Simply put, it's a good movie. Fellas, wait to watch this one with a special someone.
Written January 28, 2014