Before Sunrise (1995)

A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

Director:

Richard Linklater

Writers:

Richard Linklater, Kim Krizan

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ethan Hawke	...	Jesse
Julie Delpy	...	Celine
Andrea Eckert	...	Wife on Train
Hanno Pöschl	...	Husband on Train
Karl Bruckschwaiger	...	Guy on Bridge
Tex Rubinowitz	...	Guy on Bridge
Erni Mangold	...	Palm Reader
Dominik Castell	...	Street Poet
Haymon Maria Buttinger	...	Bartender
Harald Waiglein	...	Guitarist in Club
Bilge Jeschim	...	Belly Dancer
Kurti	...	Percussionist
Hans Weingartner	...	Cafe Patron
Liese Lyon	...	Cafe Patron
Peter Ily Huemer	...	Cafe Patron

Storyline

American tourist Jesse and French student Celine meet by chance on the train from Budapest to Vienna. Sensing that they are developing a connection, Jesse asks Celine to spend the day with him in Vienna, and she agrees. Passing the time before his scheduled flight the next morning. How do two perfect strangers connect so intimately over the course of a single day? What is that special thing that bonds two people so strongly? As their bond turns to love, what will happen to them the next morning when Jesse flies away?

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Plot Keywords:

train | american | french | love | europe | 

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Taglines:

Jump on and live a Eurorail journey you will never forget!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong language

Details

Country:

USA Austria Switzerland

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

27 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Antes del amanecer

Filming Locations:

Austria

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,400,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Castle Rock Entertainment, Detour Filmproduction, Filmhaus Wien Universa Filmproduktions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Numerous references to James Joyce's novel "Ulysses" can be found in "Before Sunrise." Both take place on June 16th, running into the early hours of June 17th. Both involve a journey around a single city (Dublin/Vienna) and include a visit to a graveyard. Jesse's real name is James (Joyce's first name) and, like Joyce, he spent a long time wandering around the cities of Europe instead of going home.

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Goofs

In Vienna, Jesse talks about his obsessive relationship with "Miss July, 1978" of Playboy magazine, then asks Celine if she knows Crystal. Playboy's Miss July 1978 was actually Karen Morton, cousin of 1970s model Elaine Morton.

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Quotes

Celine: I always feel this pressure of being a strong and independent icon of womanhood, and without making it look my whole life is revolving around some guy. But loving someone, and being loved means so much to me. We always make fun of it and stuff. But isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?

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Crazy Credits

Closing dedication: In Memory Of My Grandparents Thelma and Charles Krieger Ada and Cecil Harmon Shirley and Charles Linklater

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Connections

Referenced in Who's on First: The Movie (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Vienna Blood"
Composed by Johann Strauß (as Johann Strauss)
Performed by Barbara Klebel and Wolfgang Staribacher

User Reviews

Love Still Exists.

This has to be one of the most sincere and touching boy-meets-girl movies ever made. While "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Say Anything" deliver nice portrayals, this movies strips down useless subplots and Hollywood divergences. This movie focuses purely on watching the budding of a beautiful romance. You never doubt for a second that the film will lead towards the romantic pairing of these two people. You almost immediately sense the synergy and the chemistry between Jesse and Celine, and it is simply pure joy to watch them find it. This movie is mostly all dialogue -based. But, every conversation between these too is greatly intriguing. What makes this pairing so romantic is how real it is. How in all that conversation, while often having no real bearing on anything critical, you can sense the nuances as these two become more fond and trusting of each other. This is exactly they way you would dream that you meet that special someone. And what makes it so true is that it is not even too fantastic to believe. This could be what would happen if you had been confident enough to strike up a conversation with that person you noticed somewhere random. And what puts the icing on this film is the magnificent backdrop of Vienna in which this film takes place. It just adds to the feeling of romantic nirvana that the film suggests. And no matter how many times I watch this film, I don't think I will ever tire of that.