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Before Sunset
2004 80 min United States of America R 18+
★8.5
Drama, Romance
Director: Richard Linklater
Trailers
Description
Nine years later, Jesse travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine. After his reading in Paris, Celine finds him, and they spend part of the day together before Jesse has to again leave for a flight. They are both in relationships now, and Jesse has a son, but as their strong feelings for each other start to return, both confess a longing for more.
Budget:
$2.7M
US Gross:
$5.82M
Worldwide:
$15.99M
Starring
Ethan Hawke
Actor
Julie Delpy
Actor
Vernon Dobtcheff
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 2005
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Berlin International Film Festival 2004
— Golden Bear
Key opinion
Before Sunset is widely regarded as a masterful, emotionally resonant study of time, regret, and the evolution of love. While it functions as a naturalistic dialogue-driven sequel, critics and audiences alike praise it for standing as a compelling, mature meditation on the universal human experience of connection.
| Acting | Hawke and Delpy deliver naturalistic, lived-in performances that create the authentic illusion of a genuine, long-awaited reunion. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay excels at transforming candid, conversational dialogue into a profound philosophical exploration of life choices and missed opportunities. | |
| Direction | The minimalist, real-time approach to the narrative strips away superfluous subplots, focusing entirely on the characters' evolving intimacy. | |
| Ending | The film's ambiguous conclusion serves as a Rorschach test, with some viewers finding it hopeful and others viewing it as a poignant, unresolved burden. | |
| Originality | While many appreciate the sequel's maturity and focus, some argue it lacks the groundbreaking novelty that defined the original installment. | |
| Accessibility | The film’s emotional resonance varies based on the viewer's prior history with the characters, with some finding it essential and others seeing it as a less impactful standalone experience. |