"Before Sunrise"

          The love between Jesse and Celine in "Before Sunrise" blossomed and progressed because of the conversations that they shared with each other, but I also believe that what they perceived of each other at first glance (whether it was love, lust, or just interest) played a big part in whether or not the conversation would have taken place to begin with. During the scene where they were pretending to talk on the phone with their friends, Celine admitted (indirectly) that she had sat next to Jesse on purpose. The argument could be made that Jesse, who was the first to speak, also spoke to her based on her looks. He saw a pretty woman sit down next to him and could assume that she was intelligent from the book she was reading, sensible from the way she avoided the arguing couple, and eager by the way she looked at him several times when she sat down across from him. Maybe it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but the cynical side of me is convinced that the rest of the movie never would have happened if Celine looked like Bea Arthur or if Jesse had a clubbed foot.
          Cynicism aside, their feelings for each other seemed more immediately mutual than it would have if their relationship was simply based on love at first sight. There wasn’t really a game of cat and mouse. Their objectives had more to do with intellectual intimacy than physical intimacy which, in my opinion, resulted in a more stable outcome than pure lust would have. This is evident when Celine stops to think about whether or not they should have sex and they talk about wanting to meet again. This movie also asks the audience what the difference is between being with someone for years or spending a short 24 hours with them.  Not asking “what’s the difference?” as if to imply that there is no difference, but really asking the audience, “What is the difference?” Is it possible to have a fulfilling relationship with someone you’ve known for hours as you would with someone you’ve known for years? Does liking each other mean that you have to be together, or can one encounter be enough?
          Because the movie brings so much attention to the length and progression of relationships that have been deemed the norm and how Celine and Jesse’s relationship breaks this norm, I don’t think that they will meet again in six months. They both have dealt with their own sad versions of long term relationships and they both seemed a little bitter because of them. If they don’t meet again, then they can keep this perfect memory of their relationship and prevent those memories from being ruined by a break-up or a bad experience.