Student Film Reviews

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1. Vera Dubach 02.17.14 / 11pm

   I´ve seen the first “Before” film at SBIFF. I´ve seen Before Midnight and I liked it. I´m excited seeing the other ones too.
2. Felice Larsson 02.17.14 / 11pm

   I so agree with the dialogues.Really breathtaking.
3. Keyvan Yaldayi 02.21.14 / 7pm

   I too became very excited, I get to see them on the big screen for the first time in my life? !! “Yaay” I screamed, to no one in particular since I was alone, I am always alone, but I digress.

   Same Day was tough I gotta say, I much more like the idea of having seen them in real time and waited 10 years between each picture because right now if you see them all at once you process all three movies from this particular point in your life but if you “grew up ” alongside the characters maybe there would be even more of an emotional punch, Linklater mentioned in the Q and A, that even they had never seen all three films back to back to back, which I thought was interesting.

   Do you think Jesse caught his plane? Or stayed in Paris with Celeste?
4. Alyssa Junco 03.01.14 / 10pm

   I watched Before Sunrise just recently and thoroughly enjoyed the film. It is a true romance film that you just do not want to end. I am so excited to watch Before Midnight, knowing the film really does not have to end. I tend to dislike movies that focus mostly on dialogue and heavy verbal emotional expression, but this movie intrigued me by its unique analysis of life, and perception of love. The intricacy in the writing makes the move fly by, and I expect nothing less of this film. Making an interesting movie that takes place in one general location and only spans a few hours is difficult, proving the abilities of both Julie Deply and Ethan Hawke. Im sure it relates closely to the fact that they wrote the film and fully understand the ins and outs of their character but Hawke and Deply’s acting is flawless. Their chemistry is magical and enhances the success of the romance. I can only imagine how much more they have developed as actors and writers. I am so relieved to hear that Julie Deply and Ethan Hawkes incredible ability to write a film is obviously continued in this film. I cannot wait to have a “Before” marathon.
5. Tyler Alward 03.19.14 / 3pm

   Before Sunset is a masterpiece, in a trilogy that really stands by itself, not only in content but in form. The long takes of just dialogue are immaculate, and we really get to see the chemistry between the actors. It is so raw and so beautiful, the pace of the film is perfect, the cinematography is simple but perfect, and the improvisation is invisible. Linklater, Hawk, and Deply will go down in film history simply just for these films. What is amazing is the time between them, nine years apart is absolutely ridiculous. It almost has a Dogme 95′ feel to it, but contains traditional cinematic aspects, making it original but as tasteful as a movie can be. Before Sunset is a perfect sequel, not a filler film by any means. Great review, and even better choice of film. I would like to read a piece from you on Before Midnight!
6. Rachael Middlekauff 04.14.14 / 2pm

   I have not seen the film Before Sunset, but after reading this review and I am very curious. I have always been a sucker for a good romantic film and the way Richard describes it seems like something I would really enjoy watching. It is presented in a very classic and tasteful way about two people meeting again after 9 years, I can only imagine the emotional tole this film brings upon its audience. I can’t want to watch it!
7. Cassidy Coleman 07.05.14 / 2pm

   I wish I could have seen this film on the big screen, what an experience it would be! I’ve been watching as many Linklater films as I can lately as I am really looking forward to his new film Boyhood. I think this particular film and the two others that go along with it are so realistic and original, and it makes them such beautiful films to watch. They give you so much to think about while still having things left for you to wonder about later on, and that is a great quality of a film. I think you said it perfectly about how it’s so entertaining to watch these people talk for an hour and a half, and you don’t want it to end.
8. jcrown 07.17.14 / 11pm

   I enjoyed reading your review and I agree Before Sunset is a great movie! I love films that contain very few characters and focuses on long conversations between those characters. Woody Allen is one of my favorite directors of all time and it’s mainly because you get to know the characters so well and you can identify with them. It’s almost like you’re in the movie with them. And “Before Sunset” gave me the same kind of enjoyment Woody Allen’s film gives me. It is quite a short movie but the length is perfect and you can’t help but to day dream about what happens to the couple after the film ends!
9. Derek Tilton 08.05.16 / 4pm

   Good review. I absolutely love “Before Sunrise,” but “Before Sunset” is so wonderful on its own. I actually think that “Before Sunset” surpassed its prequel in terms of overall quality, writing, character development, and more. There are so many amazing parts of “Before Sunset,” but I think my favorite part is the ending. I won’t spoil it here in the comments, but the ending was incredibly well-done, and even though it infuriated me, I believe it’s one of the best endings in cinematic history. I haven’t seen the third film in the franchise yet, but after watching “Before Sunset,” I can’t wait to see what happens to Jessie and Celine. Anyway, great review!
10. Max Brewster 10.25.20 / 5pm

    Hello Poya, I enjoyed your take on this movie, I thought that it was very insightful and I must say that I agree with your points. While Before Sunrise was the film that grasped my attention and made me question how Linklater could possibly top the brilliant love story he made nine years previously, it was before Sunset that made me not only realize how brilliant this trilogy was but I also fell in love with the ending and in my opinion I believe it is one of the greatest movie endings of all time. I must also agree with your point on not wanting the film to be over, especially with a runtime of eighty minutes you are left wondering how Linklater will be able to tell such a powerful story in a relatively short amount of time. This is especially apparent in the films final closing sequence when both Celine and Jesse essentially confess how unhappy they both are. Then Celine invites Jesse up for tea and Linklater ends it on those Iconic lines, “baby you are going to miss that plane” I mean it doesn’t get any more perfect than that.
11. Kristen Sacha 03.26.22 / 9pm

    I really enjoyed reading your review of Before Sunset. Before Sunrise is phenomenal and as I watched it for the first time, I thought of how hard it would be to make a sequel that was as encaptivating. But, Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, and Ethan Hawke, somehow made a sequel that was merely perfect. The acting throughout the film is so natural and makes the viewer feel like they are walking with them through Paris. I agree with your statement that it has never been so fun to sit down and watch people talk for an hour and 20 minutes. The ending of Before Sunset makes the audience wanting more, but also content at the fact that Jesse is going to miss his plane.

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