It always comes back to Before Sunrise. Less than three years ago, Richard Linklater’s 1995 indie romance broke my heart and simultaneously reassembled all the pieces, but with a nice new coat of paint.
I could rant forever about the film: it’s a film that rewards multiple viewings even just to soak up each individual scene. One scene in particular stands out as a favourite of mine, and is probably one of my favourite scenes of all time.
Jesse and Celine, having already spent half a day in Vienna together, wind up in close quarters together in the listening booth of a record store. I couldn’t believe how powerful the scene is, and yet so wonderfully subtle.
The music; the lack of dialogue; the unbroken take; the physical performances; the shot itself: they create an incredible intimacy which, every time I watch it, drives me absolutely insane in the best way possible.
A short film in itself, It’s the scene I’m incredibly jealous I didn’t make.
I can still buy a plane ticket to Vienna though.
Watch for yourself: