Jesse and Céline are a bit more grown up in Before Sunset.
The sequel wasn’t an immediate thought on the minds of the group behind 1995’s Before Sunrise, but certainly was something that writer/director Richard Linklater, co-writer Kim Krizan, and actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy all felt strongly about. They’d all grown close to the characters in the film and wanted to see where the were down the line. Did they meet up in six months? What have they been doing in the intervening years? Turns out, audiences were curious as well. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our exploration of the Before Trilogy with Linklater’s 2004 film Before Sunset.
How do we feel about the film?
Turns out, the film works better for us than the first film (and Andy loved the first film!). There’s a sense of growth to Jesse and Céline that feels authentic. They’ve experienced life, made hard choices, fallen in and out of love, and find themselves in this point where they meet again. It works for us.
The conversations feel grounded, which we love. The city may not play as much a part of the story here, but it’s present in a way that works well that doesn’t feel like Paris has to be a third character.
The film has some brilliant moments throughout, but that ending… it certainly works in a charming way. But how does it work as a story told in real time? Is it?
It’s a delight of a film to watch and discuss. We have a great conversation about it, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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