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theory

Before Sunrise: A Sci-Fi World-Building Exercise in Disguise?

Okay, hear me out, 'cause this might sound crazy. I just re-watched 'Before Sunrise' for like, the millionth time. I know, it's a romance, right? Two people meet, have a deep conversation, and… that's it. But I got thinking about it, and what if the entire night they spend together is actually a meticulously crafted simulation? Think about it: they meet on a train (conveniently), they have almost no real-world responsibilities pulling them away, and they have the MOST profound, philosophical conversations you could imagine. It's almost TOO perfect. My theory is that Jesse and Celine are, unknowingly, participants in some kind of advanced sociological/psychological experiment. Maybe it's about seeing how quickly genuine connection can form under ideal circumstances, or maybe it's about testing different personality archetypes against each other. The scene where they're role-playing phone calls to their friends? That screams 'controlled environment' to me. It's like they're being prompted to reveal specific anxieties and insecurities to see how the other person reacts. I mean, that's literally what people are looking for in relationships, right? Another thing: Vienna. The city itself feels almost unreal. Like a curated backdrop designed to evoke specific emotions. All those hidden alleyways, the charming cafes... it's too picturesque to be truly random. And don't even get me started on the street poet who composes a personalized poem for them on the spot. It's such a hyper-real moment. It could be some kind of AI doing that, lol. I know, I know, it's a stretch. But as a huge world-building nerd, I'm always looking for those hidden layers and subtexts. Even if I'm totally wrong, thinking of 'Before Sunrise' as a kind of social experiment adds a whole new dimension to it for me. Maybe the experiment is just to see if we, the viewers, will believe in the possibility of such a perfect connection. What do you all think? Am I reaching here, or is there something to this?

kevinmovies
3 months ago
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