Before Sunset2004
Before Sunset (2004)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Filled with engaging dialogue, Before Sunset is a witty, poignant romance, with natural chemistry between Hawke and Delpy.
Before Sunset Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Jesse
as Celine
as Bookstore Manager
as Journalist No. 1
as Journalist #1
as Journalist No. 2
as Waitress
as Waitress
as Philippe
as Boat Attendant
as Man at Grill
as Woman in Courtyard
News & Interviews for Before Sunset
Critic Reviews for Before Sunset
All Critics (177) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (167) | Rotten (10) | DVD (18)
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.
The reunion has some lively moments, but a great deal of slow walking and fatuous talking about love, married life and sex.
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.
Charming, talky romance for older teens and adults.
Before Sunset retains most of what was engaging about the first movie: it has its gentleness, its romanticism and, most importantly, its idealism. What it has lost is the sense of mystery.
At the risk of overhyping 80 minutes of intimate real-time, this is the soul of generosity, a beautifully vibrant and big-spirited film.
Audience Reviews for Before Sunset
The original Richard Linklater classic featured two fresh, young voices, finding each other in a spontaneous bohemian kind of way. Nine years, and a trail of failed relationships later, and our lovers find each other in Paris, beginning again from the ruins of their shared past. Beautiful for its Parisian sights, but also for its lovelorn dialogue, this film works principally because it's a simple tale of love, having less to do with a pair's story and more with the mechanics of their love affair. The characters are interesting, their conversations are crisp and new, and we as the audience revel in their experience, but also in finding out the answers to our questions from the first film. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke work well together to create an organic and truly magical partnership as Celine and Jesse, and we watch because of their chemistry. The films not only circle around an interesting couple, but show love's evolution and fragility.
Super Reviewer
Perfect sequel. Not many like this one.
Super Reviewer
Nine years later another chance meeting for the American guy and European lady in Paris. A chance for more adventure.
Super Reviewer
Before Sunset Quotes
| Celine: | Even being alone--it's better than being with a lover and feeling lonely. |
| Celine: | The true work of improving things is in the little achievements of the day, and that's what you need to enjoy. |
| Jesse: | Happiness is in doing, not in getting what you want. |
| Jesse: | We all see the world through our own tiny keyhole. |