BEFORE WE GO (2014)

Genre: Romance/Drama
Director: Chris Evans
Cast: Chris Evans, Alice Eve
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: PG13 (Brief Coarse Language)
Released By: Golden Village Pictures
Official Website:

Opening Day: 17 December 2015

Synopsis: BEFORE WE GO, the directorial debut of Chris Evans, follows the journey of two strangers stuck in New York City for the night. Starting as convenient acquaintances, the two soon grow into each other’s most trusted confidants when a night of unexpected adventure forces them to confront their fears and take control of their lives.

Movie Review:

As easy as it may seem, countless filmmakers have discovered over the years just how difficult it is to replicate the magic of Richard Linklater’s ‘Before Sunrise’. Oh yes, the premise of two strangers who have a meet-cute encounter in a beautiful city and then proceed to bare their souls to each other while walking around the city may seem simple enough to imitate, but no other film has come close to matching Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s chemistry nor Linklater’s smart yet whimsical dialogue. And yet its deceptive simplicity means that more an aspiring filmmaker will continue to try to follow in its footsteps, which probably explains why ‘Captain America’s’ Chris Evans has chosen this two-hander between his trumpet player on the eve of a career-making audition and Alice Eve’s distraught art dealer as his directorial debut.

It’s probably no surprise that ‘Before We Go’ doesn’t come close to ‘Before Sunrise’, notwithstanding the preposition that their titles share, but that said, Evans’ talky actors’ movie is not without its own modest charms. No less than four writers (including Oscar winner Ron Bass) are credited for this conversational venture, which begins at 1.30 am in Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal when said musician Nick runs into a harried blond who has just missed the last train of the night back to Boston. In order to keep the two strangers together, you’ll have to look past the contrivances of failed cellphones, maxed out credit cards, a deficit of cash and a conveniently stolen purse – the last of which forms the raison d’etre for their foot trip at least at the start, with Nick offering to accompany Brooke to the bar where her purse was stolen.

Initially, both are guarded, secretive and even prone to telling lies; but as the wee hours progress, Nick and Brooke will bare themselves (not physically, but emotionally) and find in each other kindred spirits looking for healing in their respective love lives. Turns out that Nick is still reeling from being dumped by his university sweetheart Hannah on the very evening he was going to propose to her, and came to New York City less for the audition in itself than for the chance to prove to her that he has made it as a musician. Brooke, on the other hand, is reeling from her husband’s infidelity, and her urgent return to Boston has something to do with a letter that could either save or break her own marriage.

To be frank, neither offer the other particularly deep insights on their respective predicaments, but there is sweet solace in being able to confide in someone that you probably don’t have to worry about using what you say against you sometime after. And yet, there is no denying the attraction between the two characters, in part due to the lively banter pertly written by the team of four writers and in part due to the easygoing chemistry between Evans and Eve. Insofar as such encounters depend on the quality of the conversations as well as the likeability of its stars, Evans and Eve are naturally appealing, bringing depth and sensitivity to their roles while exuding a genuine rapport that makes their connection credible.

Still, no matter how much Evans and Eve make a fetching couple, their emotional lives and backstories are somewhat less compelling to fully hold your attention. Beyond their relationship crises, there is little else that defines them as personalities in their own right, which is perhaps why the script contrives to put them through various low-key hijinks, including Nick’s ill-advised attempt to recover Brooke’s purse from a fencing operation down in Chinatown and a detour to an office Christmas party where they pose as the night’s entertainment in order to try to earn a quick buck from its organisers. Amusing as these incidents may be, the characters remain as shallow as they are without them, which is ultimately all that a movie like this hinges on.

That is also why ‘Before We Go’ never quite rises to the same heights as ‘Before Sunrise’, which gave us two vibrant complex individuals whom we were intrigued and keen to get to know of every step of the way. The same cannot be said of Nick and Brooke, who come off as agreeable people that you wouldn’t mind making acquaintances with but just are a tad too bland to hold an entire movie on the weight of their combined shoulders. As a directorial debut for Evans however, it is a safe unassuming start that doesn’t speak of much ambition as much as it is a harmless diversion that wouldn’t hurt if you have some time to spare. Like we said, its charms are modest – and we would add, slight – so check your expectations before you… go. 

Movie Rating:

(It’s no ‘Before Sunrise’, but Chris Evans’ directorial debut in the same vein finds its modest charms in some pertly written banter and the easygoing chemistry between him and Alice Eve)

Review by Gabriel Chong