Before Sunrise

There’s this friend of mine. Our wavelengths/frequencies (or whatever other term there exists in the science textbook) has always matched. Have always trusted her judgment. As always, wasn’t let down this time either.
Read about this movie in her blog. Without even giving it a second thought, got the movie and just finished watching it.

This decade has witnessed the evolution of a new *supergenre of movies which I’d like to call No-Frills Movies. Despite expensive sets, exotic locations, world-renown cast, great background score, cool graphics, billion-dollar promotions and a plethora of other such accessories, a movie might go lost on the audience. What really never fails to leave an imprint is a simple story just told in a simple way. They might not be huge collectors at the box office, but they certainly do give the audience their money's worth and something worthwhile to think about outside the theatre as well.

If you haven’t already guessed it, Before Sunrise belongs to this new-era genre - No-Frills, Romantic. The movie is nothing but pure conversation between 2 complete strangers from completely alien cultures, who meet on a train. Annoyed by a bickering couple (more so by the fact that the couple is fighting in a language they cant understand :-)), they strike a conversation, build a rapport and then go on to make this absolutely impulsive/freaky decision to explore the city of Vienna together and spend the day together; the wildest thing they have done so far.

No spoilers here...I couldn’t reveal more of the movie even if I wanted to because there is nothing more. This is the plot. That’s it. The whole 1h.36m.44s is about how they spend the day simply by talking to each other. Natural as it comes. I know there's room for skepticism here. I really never thought something like this could hold my attention, let alone make me sit and write a blog about at this hour of the day! Pleasant romance. There are so many exchanges between the lead actors which make you wonder "now, there's something I’ve never thought about like this..."

liked 2 tracks -
Come Here (Kath Bloom : woven in)
Living Life (Daniel Johnston/Kathy McCarty : closing credits)

On the whole, a simple story brilliantly executed.
Before Sunrise, anytime of any day!

P.S. I have this feeling that JAB WE MET, on some level, might have drawn inspiration from here; with the added masala that is so characteristically Bollywood. Well, in my opinion, good from good is always good :-)
P.P.S. I hear there's a sequel to this - Before Sunset. Sincerely hope they've not killed the spirit of the original in this one....as always happens with most sequels.