Before Sunset (2004)
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Two former lovers reunite in Paris and spend a day together before one must catch a flight.
The story
Nine years after their initial meeting in Vienna, Jesse, who has written a bestselling novel about their time together, is in Paris for a book tour. While finishing a promotional talk at a bookstore, he is unexpectedly joined by Céline. With Jesse needing to head to the airport in an hour, the two spend the remaining time roaming the streets of Paris. As they walk and talk, they navigate the complexities of their shared past, the changes in their lives over the nearly decade-long separation, and the lingering feelings that still exist between them.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nine years after meeting in Vienna, Jesse and Céline reunite in Paris during a book tour for Jesse's novel, 'This Time'. They spend their remaining hour before Jesse's flight walking through Paris, discussing their lives, their failed attempts to stay in touch, and the impact of their past connection. They reveal personal details: Jesse is married with a son, while Céline works for an environmental organization and is in a relationship. They acknowledge that their shared night in Vienna profoundly affected their perceptions of love, leading to dissatisfaction in their current lives. Despite the time passed, their feelings rekindle. In the final moments, Jesse insists on walking Céline to her apartment and watches her dance to a waltz on her guitar, even as he prepares to miss his flight.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 80
- Production countries
- France; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Richard Linklater
- Writers
- Richard Linklater · screenplay; Ethan Hawke · screenplay; Julie Delpy · screenplay; Richard Linklater · story; Kim Krizan · story
- Cast and characters
- Ethan Hawke · Jesse; Julie Delpy · Céline
- Genres
- romantic drama
- Themes
- choice; regret; fleeting nature of happiness; melancholy; passage of time
- Tone and mood
- naturalistic; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- two-hander; romance; drama; sequel
- Franchise connections
- Before trilogy
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its direction, the performances and chemistry of its leads, and its screenplay.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 94% · scale: percentage · review count: 181; Metacritic · score: 91 · scale: 100 · review count: 39
- Awards and nominations
- Best Picture · International Cinephile Society Awards · Win; Best Film · Village Voice Film Poll · Win; Best Actress · Empire Awards · Win; Best Director · Village Voice Film Poll · Win; Best Adapted Screenplay · Independent Spirit Awards · Nomination; Best Adapted Screenplay · Writers Guild of America Awards · Nomination; Best Picture · Online Film Critics Society Awards · Nomination; Best Actress · Online Film Critics Society Awards · Nomination; Best Adapted Screenplay · Online Film Critics Society Awards · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film is considered to take place in real time.; The film was filmed in 15 days.; The film is noted for its use of the Steadicam for tracking shots and its use of long takes.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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