It’s been awhile since I’ve
watched a movie that made me think and cry at same time. To look at your own
life especially your past choices, your insecurities, your what might have
beens, your little regrets. We live in a fast-paced world and sometimes the
introspection of the choices we have made or not made in the past becomes
forgotten. Films that make you do that
are commendable because it not only entertains you but makes you ponder
and look at your life in the different perspective. Maybe that’s why indie
films with only two characters are
more effective in giving you this kind of introspection. There are no sub-plots
to distract you with, just two characters getting to know each other
and you are also are getting to know with.
I didn’t know what to expect in
this movie, Before We Go, the directorial debut of Chris Evans. But I like seeing a good looking couple
on screen, a bearded, dashing Chris Evans paired with the gorgeous Alice Eve
was quite a teaser already. I mean you just wanted them to end up together in a setting like the enigmatic New York City.
So when I started watching it and
saw how emotionally intimate the scenes were and how true to life the dialogues
were, I was drawn to it. And why not, the film had an intimate feel to it like watching two
strangers pouring out their sadness, their
insecurities, their joys, dreams and secrets to each other. It was moving and romantic. No histrionics or sweeping grand gestures just two people walking in the wee hours of New
York city having some adventure together.
I love how the script had a
realistic feel to it. It’s irritating
how you can relate to some of the dialogues like how you would feel when you see your ex
after a long time or how you would react when betrayed by the love of your life. But
more than that, what I love about the film is how you see the
characters realize the fears they were running from and how in each other they
began to have the courage to face it. I mean how can you not be moved by that.
I don’t care about what they say about the film but I had many realizations here. That sometimes,
we are not ready for the good things in life because we refuse to let go
of our ideal versions of the past, our
ideal versions of our love ones even if they have changed or the situations
have changed. We refuse to let it go
even if it’s not working anymore. Often,
it’s a battle with yourself with what you want to be and what the
situation really is.
I had been in that crossroads before and you really
have to look inside yourself and weigh in your heart if the person is still worth it or is costing you your self-esteem or your value as a
person. Me, I had been in a relationship where I stayed too long because I was
afraid I would not be loved again. I had been afraid to let go because
I thought he would be the only person who would love me and accept me because I
had been rejected in the past. I hung on because I was scared even if the
situation was not ideal anymore and my feelings have changed. It’s not easy to
let go of what you’re used to or of change and risk. And I was wrong, someone loved me for me
without great personal cost. I’m glad
that I took the plunge and I had no regrets.
Anyway, I just
love a film that can make the audience think about their own life even if the
ending was like the ending of some short story, an open-ended one. Why ?! J But
still, it was moving. So, Mr. Evans, I thank you for that, great directorial
debut and thank you for translating these good writers’ work into film, I think
you nailed it. And I truly agree what your character, Nick said on the last
part of the film, “… then thank her for showing you that you could love more
than one person in this life.” I truly believe that and I truly believe you are
also a hopeless romantic like me J
