Before We Go (2014)

Summary

Before We Go is a romantic drama set entirely over the course of one night in New York City. It follows Nick Vaughan (Chris Evans), a street musician performing in Grand Central Terminal, and Brooke Dalton (Alice Eve), a businesswoman who has just missed the 1:30 a.m. train back to Boston after having her purse stolen. Stranded and desperate to get home to retrieve her wedding ring, Brooke reluctantly accepts Nick's offer of help. The film chronicles their unexpected, all-night adventure across the city as they search for Brooke's bag, navigate their complicated pasts, and form a deep, intimate connection that changes both of their lives.

Plot Points

The film focuses heavily on dialogue and the evolving emotional dynamic between the two protagonists:

1. The Chance Encounter: Brooke is rushing through Grand Central after a disastrous trip when she shatters her phone. Nick, noticing her distress, tries to help. He learns she missed her train and needs to get back to Boston immediately because her husband will discover a hidden note she wrote for him.

2. The Quest for Funding: Nick and Brooke spend the night attempting to secure money to pay for Brooke's transit home, leading them to several locations across the city, including a wedding reception where Nick attempts to busk and Nick's friend's apartment.

3. Unpacking the Past: As they explore the city, they reveal their personal crises. Nick is dealing with the painful memory of a failed relationship and a pivotal letter he never gave to his ex-girlfriend. Brooke is facing the failure of her marriage and the reality of leaving her husband.

4. Nick's Confession: The search eventually leads them to the home of Nick's ex-girlfriend. He finally reads the heartfelt letter he wrote to her years ago, realizing the importance of honesty and facing his emotional paralysis.

5. A Final Choice: By dawn, Nick and Brooke have fixed Brooke's phone and secured passage for her home. They share a tender, pivotal moment where they must decide whether the connection they forged is worth abandoning their previous lives, or if their night together was merely a necessary, therapeutic detour before returning to reality. Brooke ultimately decides to go home to confront her husband and her marriage.

Cast

Crew

• Director: Chris Evans

• Screenplay: Ron Bass, Jen Smolka, Chris Shafer, Paul Vicknair

• Producers: Chris Evans, McG, Karen Baldwin, Mary Viola, Howard Baldwin

• Music Composer: Adam Taylor

• Cinematography: John Guleserian

• Production Company: Wonderland Sound and Vision, Starz Digital

Release Info

• Release Year: 2014

• Release Date: September 12, 2014 (Toronto International Film Festival)

• Running Time: 95 minutes

• Language: English

• Genre: Romance, Drama