Before Sunset Planning Analysis, Case Study Example

The setting of Before Sunset takes place in Paris, France, and captures the architecture and layout of the city. As a consequence, the film could be used to gain a greater understanding of pedestrian friendly urban neighborhoods in addition to city structure. The plot of the film thickens as Jesse and Céline explore the city, which provides the viewer with an opportunity to observe its landscape. Ultimately, it demonstrates that Paris is a pedestrian friendly city due to its wide open spaces and lack of cars. Additionally, the pedestrian paths are well-paved in a manner that ensures the safety of all individuals that choose to travel by foot. Furthermore, the film exhibits Paris’ city structure by showing various businesses and residences, such as cafés, gardens, and boats at the city limits. Even though the film only showed several locations, it was filmed entirely in Paris, which provides the viewer with a small snapshot of the city.

While the intention of the director, Richard Linklater, was to tell a compelling love story, this would not have been possible without capturing the natural beauty that the city of Paris has to offer. As the story is told, the locations that are seen in Paris become more and more apparently tied into the plot. As a result, Linklater tells the story by using the scenery to emphasize the events that were taking place. The real life locations captured in the film include the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore on the Left Bank, the Marais district of the 4th arrondissement, the Promenade Plantée Park in the 12th arrondissement, Le Pure Café in the 11th arrondissement, and a tour boat from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Henri IV. These scenes are necessary to demonstrate the connection that is formed between Jesse and Céline throughout the film and allow us to understand the importance of the pedestrian friendliness of the city in addition to its beautiful layout.

When watching Before Sunset, it is clearly observable that Paris is a pedestrian friendly city. Although many European cities have this character to it, the wide open spaces that the audience observes as Jesse and Céline experience what the city has to offer becomes apparent. It is also apparent that the city landscape influences the progression of the story. We first observe the pedestrian-friendliness of the city when the couple travels to Le Pure Café in the 11th arrondissement. While the couple engages in conversation, the audience is able to focus on the setting of their discussion. The café is located in an open space on the street, although it seems that the street is closed off to all but the customers and passersby. This location contributes to the story because even though the café is a public place, it is quiet and secluded and allows the main characters the opportunity to catch up with one another.

After the couple leaves the café, they explore a high rise garden walkway, which was specifically designed to be explored by foot. In this manner, it is clear that Paris emphasizes the pedestrian lifestyle as one that focuses on recreation. Pedestrians are able to travel safely from one place to another, which enhances the overall experience of the city. A major highlight of the high rise garden is that the paths are well-paved, which encourages walkers and runners to stroll through it. This allows pedestrians to walk separately from the traffic below, although not very many cars are observable. Thus, even though one has an option to drive in Paris, the city’s governing body makes it so that walking is always a viable option. Jesse and Céline chose to enjoy their garden experience by taking in the sights and then sitting down on a bench provided in the landscape to have a personal conversation.

It is clear from observing the background in the film Before Sunset that Paris’ city planning was organized in such a way that it could support a large metropolitan population while having the feel of a small town. Unlike larger cities like New York, buildings are not close together, which gives the viewer a feel as if Paris is more of a friendly neighborhood than a metropolis. The version of Paris that was viewable in the film was due to major renovations initiated by Georges-Eugène Haussmann between 1853 and 1870, which marked the modernization of the city (Carmona et al.)This construction focused on the removal of crowded, medieval neighborhoods, which supported the health and beauty of the city that we observe today and that was demonstrated in Before Sunset.

A major feature of the city that Haussmann was responsible for building was in part due to funding and planning by Napoleon III (Pinkney). As a consequence of this collaboration, the grand croisée de Paris was built, which served as a great cross in the center of Paris that allowed for enhanced communication from the east to west along the rue de Rivoli and rue Saint-Antoine. Although we do not see Jesse and Céline enter this particular part of the city during the story, it is essential to mention, as it set the mark for Paris being a friendly and easy to travel city. Since this structure was a success, other parts of the city were built and remodeled in a manner that would allow them to become easily accessible using a variety of means. Therefore, it was in part thanks to the construction plan developed by Haussmann that the couple was able to rekindle their interest for one another in such a quick period of time.

In reference to the rebuilding of the city of Paris, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte once specifically stated “Let us open new streets, make the working class quarters, which lack air and light, more healthy, and let the beneficial sunlight reach everywhere within our walls” (Milza). Although some would disagree with the political views of this leader, it was clear that he cared about the well-being of the individuals living within this territory. Therefore, political influence in this area combined with the excellent engineering and construction skills of the individuals involved in this project shifted Paris from a dense metropolitan to a well-spaced, beautiful, and livable city (Jones). Although no work has been done to modernize the area since this initial renovation decision, the initial city planning design that was agreed upon in the 1800’s allows Paris to continue to be functional today.

In conclusion, Before Sunset effectively demonstrates that Paris is a pedestrian friendly city with a city planning that emphasizes wide open spaces. These aspects of this location allowed Jesse and Céline to take advantage of the city during their time together, which allowed them to reconnect. Ultimately, the various features of the city allowed the plot to progress. The organization of Paris allows for easy communication and transport, and the viewer can assume that casual encounters such as that experienced by Jesse and Céline happen every day as a result. Paris will continue entertaining lovers and visitors for years to come as a consequence of its beauty and excellent planning.

Works Cited

Carmona M, Camiller P.Haussmann: His Life and Times and the Making of Modern Paris. Ivan R. Dee, 2002.

Jones C. Paris: Biography of a City. Penguin, 2004.

Milza P. Napoleon III. Perrin, 2006.

Pinkney DH. Napoleon III and the Rebuilding of Paris. Princeton University Press, 1958.