Before Sunrise

"I always think that I'm still this 13-year old boy that doesn't really know how to be an adult, pretending to live my life, taking notes for when I'll really have to do it"

I felt this film in my bones. Honestly the best feeling on this planet is being seen. Being truly seen by another person. There is an indescribable feeling when you feel yourself being observed for who you really are and this film captures that feeling so beautifully.

I genuinely felt as if I was witnessing people fall in love and what a special privilege that feels like. The longing, the glances, the thoughts spiralling through their brains as each other speaks, so loud it’s visible, just real raw honest performances.

Real, simple writing as well. I loved how messy this is, it’s exactly like conversation. Neither of these people are the world’s most perfect person (I kinda liked how insufferable they were at points) but it’s what makes it real.

Reminded me of the beauty in the world. I noticed on their meandering travels, bumping into all sorts of characters, the kindness on display from each of the people they run into. Perhaps I’m looking in the wrong places, or the onslaught of social media and being actively aware of human’s destructive nature has warped my perception of humans, or perhaps the world has truly changed, but I found these random moments, these pure expressive moments to be as enrapturing and meaningful as the central relationship.

Similarly, is the art of conversation gone? I find it so rare that people willingly offer such openness and honesty when speaking now, and in the few relationships I have where it does feel this way, it feels special.

The ending of the places they’d been in the morning as well, says so much without saying anything at all. God what a gorgeous film.

Some lines which really hit:

“If there's any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone, sharing something. I know, it's almost impossible to succeed, but…who cares, really? The answer must be in the attempt.”

“I think I can really fall in love when I know everything about someone-the way he's going to part his hair, which shirt he's going to wear that day, knowing the exact story he'd tell in a given situation. I'm sure that's when I know I'm really in love.”

“But loving someone and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?”