Modern love stories set in current times, featuring a blend of traditional and unconventional elements in their narratives
In the heart of Vienna, Austria, the romantic tale of "Before Sunrise" unfolded in 1995, introducing us to Jesse and Céline, two strangers who meet on a train and spend a memorable night together. This film, directed by Richard Linklater, was the first instalment of the Before Trilogy, which also includes "Before Sunset" (2004) and an as-yet-unreleased third film.
The Chick Flick subgenre, popular in the 80s, paved the way for films like "Before Sunrise," marketed towards modern women. However, the Before Trilogy stands out for its unique approach to romance, reflecting a postmodern self-awareness that is distinctly its own.
"Before Sunset" revisits Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as Jesse and Céline, nine years later. The film references the first film as a fictional memory and a real-life film, a testament to Linklater's artistry. A quote from "Before Sunset," "Memory is a wonderful thing if you don't have to deal with the past," encapsulates cinema's fascination with postmodernist romance.
Postmodernist perspectives within the romance genre have been brewing for decades, particularly in the independent scene, but they became more prevalent in the mainstream as the digital age seeped into modern dating standards. Films like "500 Days of Summer" (2009) and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004) exemplify this shift, using unconventional storytelling techniques to explore the complexities of love.
"Eternal Sunshine," directed by Michel Gondry, embodies the philosophy of postmodernist romance, with its fragmented storytelling and representation of the ambiguity between characters. The romance in the film ends tragically, reflecting the pain that can come from trying to erase memories of past relationships.
In contrast, the romance in "Before Sunrise" ends before sunrise, reflecting the inevitability of its conclusion. Yet, the connection between Jesse and Céline lingers, a testament to the enduring nature of human connections.
Nostalgia is key to postmodern love, as embodied by the Before Trilogy, particularly in "Before Sunset" which acts as a bridge between the first and third film. Pleasant memories in "Eternal Sunshine" are tainted since the person in them is no longer present or the same, causing pain. In postmodernist romance, there is a level of self-awareness in films that purposely takes the audience out of the film and allows them to analyze their own past and relationships.
Romance in postmodernist cinema is less a fantasy to get lost in and more so a tool to stipulate introspection. These films usually end in true romantic fashion, with the two yearning protagonists confessing their feelings and apparently living happily ever after. However, the endings often leave room for interpretation, reflecting the ambiguity that is inherent in human relationships.
Postmodernist romance in cinema offers a fresh perspective on love, one that is grounded in reality and invites introspection. From the Before Trilogy to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," these films challenge traditional notions of romance and offer a more nuanced understanding of human connections.
