Before Sunset

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Before Sunset

R

Released Feb 10, 2004

1h 20m

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

180 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

A sequel to Before Sunrise, this film starts nine years later as Jesse (Ethan Hawke) travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy). 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.

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Critics Consensus

Filled with engaging dialogue, Before Sunset is a witty, poignant romance, with natural chemistry between Hawke and Delpy.

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Christy Lemire

Associated Press

It's a lovely, beguiling little film a rare treat during this overheated season of blockbusters. It's also an unusual example of a follow-up that doesn't seem forced, but expands effortlessly on the original.

Aug 8, 2012

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

The reunion has some lively moments, but a great deal of slow walking and fatuous talking about love, married life and sex.

Aug 8, 2012

Full Review

Scott Tobias

AV Club

Shooting in long takes, Linklater and his actors (who get co-screenwriting credit) allow the conversation to curlicue effortlessly from literate banter to matters of the heart, and sometimes to places in between.

Aug 8, 2012

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

There are any number of times where they could leave each other’s sights (again), but this time for good. But they don’t, and the audience is treated to love at first sight a second time.

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

This would all be dreary and forgettable fluff, were it not for the charm and chemistry of the leads.

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 29, 2023

Full Review

Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

Before Sunset is the kind of movie that takes every pre-conceived notion of filmmaking and throws it out the window. It is a celebration of being alive and how lovely and frightening love is.

Jul 25, 2023

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inta k

The main actress did a great job playing the role and being able to show the range of emotions and also the spasms. Count Orlok was was impressive as a character and how it was acted out, especially while in castle - the voice, the accent, the breathing and sounds. I liked the overall look and feel of the movie, the story line felt a bit choppy in places.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

Birithivy Y

Before Sunset - 10/10. Richard Linklater is a master of time. Its the only way to explain how he is able to make movies like the film Boyhood or the Before Series. Before Sunset is a perfect example of using time in between movies as a way to help elevate the plot. 9 years after their fateful meeting in Vienna, Jesse is now an established writer, which leads him to going on tour for his new book. Part of the tour leads him to Paris, which leads him to meeting Celine again. The old flames reignite in love, and have existential and philosophical conversations throughout the duration of the movie. A surprisingly brisk and short film, Before Sunset counteracts the balance found in Before Sunrise. In Sunrise, things are mostly happy and sparkling until the bone crushingly sad ending, whereas the opposite happens in Sunset. We get a film that captures the beauty of Paris, while also capturing the beauty of old lovers reuniting. Its oddly real at times, and it really doesn’t feel like a movie, but rather, a documentary in these two peoples lives. Its shot so well and just a magical film. Probably one of the only cases of a sequel that is necessary to have been made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Roger S

As close to a perfect movie as you can get. So much unsaid, yet, you feel what the characters are going through.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

Full Review

Adriana V

This movie is absolutely fantastic, it shows long conversations about random deep subjects, and continues the story so perfectly. It shows how they have matured since the first movie, and how their connection is so strong even after not seeing each other for 9 years. So strong and beautiful, this movie is a must watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Hao Ian L

You can definitely feel the sense of urgency, <i>Before Sunset</i> builds on more character development from before, and as a result, there's more at stake and a more complex relationship at hand now, and perhaps is what makes the dialogue in this sequel feel much more authentic and interesting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

julie b

All time fave. Put the knife in my heart and twist it….ugh. soul crushing. Too real!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

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Richard Linklater

Director

Ethan Hawke

Jesse

Julie Delpy

Celine

Vernon Dobtcheff

Book Store Manager

Louise Lemoine Torres

Journalist

Rodolphe Pauly

Journalist

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Synopsis

A sequel to Before Sunrise, this film starts nine years later as Jesse (Ethan Hawke) travels across Europe giving readings from a book he wrote about the night he spent in Vienna with Celine (Julie Delpy). 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.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Anne Walker-McBay
Screenwriter: Julie Delpy, Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, Kim Krizan
Distributor: Warner Independent
Production Co: Warner Independent Pictures, Detour Filmproduction, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R (Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 10, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.8M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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