Before Sunset (2004)

Nine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse's book tour.

Director:

Richard Linklater

Writers:

Richard Linklater (screenplay), Julie Delpy (screenplay)

Stars:

Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff

Top Rated Movies #238 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ethan Hawke	...	Jesse
Julie Delpy	...	Celine
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Bookstore Manager
Louise Lemoine Torrès	...	Journalist #1 (as Louise Lemoine Torres)
Rodolphe Pauly	...	Journalist #2
Mariane Plasteig	...	Waitress
Diabolo	...	Philippe
Denis Evrard	...	Boat Attendant
Albert Delpy	...	Man at Grill
Marie Pillet	...	Woman in Courtyard

Storyline

Early thirty-something American Jesse Wallace is in a Paris bookstore, the last stop on a tour to promote his best selling book, This Time. Although he is vague to reporters about the source material for the book, it is about his chance encounter nine years earlier on June 15-16, 1994 with a Parisienne named Celine, and the memorable and romantic day and evening they spent together in Vienna. At the end of their encounter at the Vienna train station, which is also how the book ends, they, not providing contact information to the other, vowed to meet each other again in exactly six months at that very spot. As the media scrum at the bookstore nears its conclusion, Jesse spots Celine in the crowd, she who only found out about the book when she earlier saw his photograph promoting this public appearance. Much like their previous encounter, Jesse and Celine, who is now an environmental activist, decide to spend time together until he is supposed to catch his flight back to New York, this ...

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Plot Keywords:

conversations | brief encounter | enduring relationship | ambiguous ending | sequel | 

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Taglines:

What if you had a second chance with the one that got away?

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 July 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Before Sunrise 2

Filming Locations:

Seine River, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$2,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$311,194, 4 July 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,792,822, 24 October 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP), Castle Rock Entertainment, Detour Filmproduction

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Julie Delpy's agent at the time tried to dissuade her from participating in this project both as a screenwriter and an actress, saying it was "a stupid movie no one is going to see," asking her to go to the gym instead. He fired her as a client the same day.

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Goofs

The boat on the Seine, moves to the east, but in one shot, the boat moves to the opposite direction (The Eiffel Tower is clearly visible, which means the boat travels to the west). The differences between shadows and no shadows on the wharfs of the Seine are also indicating this.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Journalist #1: Do you consider the book to be autobiographical?
Jesse: Uh, well, I mean... isn't everything autobiographical?

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Connections

References Waking Life (2001)

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Soundtracks

Bach: Goldberg Variation Number 25
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (uncredited)
Performed by Igor Kipnis
Courtesy of Angel Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

So Little Time, So Much Love.

Before Sunset is one of those movies, you either love, or you hate.

Personally, I loved it.

Now, I recommend watching "Before Sunrise" first, however it isn't necessary. Before Sunset does a good job of reviewing what had happened, therefore if you decide to watch it Before watching "Sunrise" you have nothing to worry about.

Some scenes are extremely well done. The characters are picture perfect, and the movie itself, is breathtaking. The aura of the movie is so spectacular, that it will inspire young directors out there, to pick up their video cameras are start filming.

An 80 minute movie, about two lovable characters and what they have to say, may sound boring. But the way it's done in Before Sunset, will sweep this impression right off your feet.

Julie and Ethan play two of the most honest and true characters I have ever seen, they are known as Jesse and Celine. And while much of the credit must go to the characters themselves, you musn't forget the actor and actress who played them.

Julie is perfect as Celine. The young french actress is so natural in front of the camera. Definitely, has potential.

Ethan is also very very honest, he seems so comfortable character that that you forget your watching a movie, and not a home-made video.

Both play with such honest expression, and such trueness, that they are so natural, Before Sunset becomes no longer a movie. It feels as if you are eavesdropping on two extremely developed people. It's such an intimate environment, that you never want to leave.

Before Sunset... 9.901/10*****