Rating: 
Summary: Ode to a Superior Life Lived
Review: I wish that real life could be as intense and important as every word in this film was for the actors...
BEFORE SUNSET is one of those movies reserved for watching only with very special people...
So is NEW SEX NOW
Along with GODDESS WORSHIP
Music by SADE, SEAL, and STING...
And the book "SECRETS OF SENSUAL LOVEMAKING"
Rating:
Summary: Best Romantic Film of 2004
Review: "Before Sunset" is a beautiful, well-crafted sequel to "Before Sunrise", that holds well on its own even if you didn't see the original film chronicling the romantic adventure undertaken by Jesse and Celine. It's nine years later and Jesse is now a succesful American novelist at the final stop of his European book tour, Paris' Shakespeare and Company. Much to his amazement he sees Celine, and realizes that he still has a deep romantic feeling for the beautiful French girl that he had won, and then lost. With only a little more than an hour to spare before Jesse heads to the airport for his flight bound for home, he joins Celine in remembering their adventure and warm, intense feelings which each still has for the other. Director Richard Linklater - working from a screenplay co-written by himself, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke - has wrought yet another cinematic gem that is a romantic version of "My Dinner With Andre", showing in real-time how Jesse and Celine stumble at first with their words, before gradually realizing how strong their passion remains for the other. This builds up into a surprising, unexpected climax which is truly a perfect, elegant ending for this sweet cinematic ode to love. The film is accompanied by several stirring love songs in French and English composed and sung by Julie Delpy herself. Both Hawke and Delpy distinguish themselves in their performances, and yet, I can't help but notice how radiantly beautiful Delpy is, as the insecure, but brilliant, Celine (For Ms. Delpy, all I can say, is je t'aime.). Without question, this is the most romantic film of the year I have seen so far.
Rating:
Summary: let me play you a waltz
Review: Before Sunset is an experience of ninety minutes in the lives of an American guy and a French girl. This sequel was made and takes place nine years after their initial evening spent together, when the guy, Ethan Hawke, is touring to promote his book, making a last stop in France. She, Julie Delpy, is there to see him and they spend an hour and a half before dark meandering around reminiscing, talking about each other, life, and not saying so much more. The structure of the film is very simple and it basically occurs during its own running time. Technically, nothing really happens as this film isn't as action driven as it is character driven. The entire film is composed of two people walking around Paris talking, which could otherwise be so droll if only this didn't manage to be so much more special then that.
There is something special, something profound and compelling, about these two people, how the actors are so natural in their execution, and how their characters are so natural in what they say and do. If the cinematography wasn't so pretty, or if the camera didn't move with them so smoothly, it would feel as if you were invited along for the way as a voyeur to accompany this utterly amazing meeting of two incredibly interesting people so obviously in love. All movies are essentially voyeuristic experiences, but the real time, the probability of what is happening, the naturalism of the characters, makes this one so much more so. It feels very much like a completely true story but it somehow avoids looking erratic and shot on your cheap camera. The visuals breathe romanticism, [and in some ways the characters are the same] but what is happening is so naturalistic and seems to be made without rehearsal, without actors, without editing, without a camera, without the idea of making a film at all. Its pretty, but it seems as if these are real people and that you're an invisible person a step ahead of them during their meeting that is happening right in the now, and what is happening is so incredibly amazing.
This amazement is exacerbated by the poetic nature of what each of them says, but it is in such a natural context and is executed so naturally and so remarkably un-solipsistic, it seems as if the entire film is composed of those people around you who are always poetic, who are always intelligent, who are always interesting, and while they talk like humans and say things you understand, whatever they say manages to hold a certain weight that other people can't achieve. They're just naturally poetic; they naturally say things that are beautiful, interesting, philosophical, special. They have very natural flaws, sometimes go a little over the top theorizing, have a lot of positive and negative depth, but they are somehow the sort of people that, if they have any talent at all, are good at doing an interesting job at being themselves, and who they are is so vastly important and special you couldn't be bothered to ask for anything more.
Its so painfully obvious that they're perfect for each other all you seem to desire while watching is nothing else but for them to be together. These are two people that just fit, and they're the kind of people that are so great to see fit, and the greatest part about it is that the actors drive that home in a completely amazing way. These actors seem as if they are truly two people in love, and as such there is a very clear conversation that exists between them underneath what they're actually saying. The constant conversation that occurs through the tenure of the film is interesting in and of itself, with two characters ruminating over their relationship, their lives, and their philosophies, and its easy to appreciate the film solely for this. Its really wonderfully written in every way, and there is a great story being told through the visuals as well that's equally, if not more powerful. The directing is incredible, and how they're holding their faces, their body language, the tones of their voices, their clear changes in demeanor, the 'aura' around them tells a very certain story. There is an entire world in each of their eyes, and when they are being honest, being silly, being so naturally flawed its somewhat uncomfortable, trying to be charming, trying to be not charming, it doesn't matter as much as the true, voluntarily desperate, significant love and youthful sincerity that really exists right there in their eyes.
That world within their eyes is what helps make it so exceedingly compelling. Before Sunset is a great story, its a great conversation, but what is happening between them is so very real and so very palpable it is nearly impossible to not become intoxicated on the romanticism. It invites you in, allows you to escape within it and imbue it with your own experience yet never becomes overbearing enough that you forget that its a film. Its just sort of there, and if you want to watch, participate in, and believe in the magic that is occurring right there on the screen in front of you you may. But if not, it will still be there in its subtle beauty. Those beautiful giggles, hugs that seem so real, and walks up stairs that capture that outwardly indecision when you're with someone, those walks where you both love each other but can't seem to bring yourself to do anything about it, will still be there if ever you might want to spend the two hours before your plane takes off doing something eternally meaningful. An entire world of meaning, of love, and of life can exist in one night, in two hours, in one life, and in one movie, and it is so beautifully inebriating to be invited to witness that.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Sequel
Review: Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy work magic on screen.The two movies are meshed together very well. It's interesting to see how the old lovers have changed yet are still the same, and how their chance meeting 9 years earlier in Vienna impacted their lives .In my opinion Before Sunrise is still the better of the two movies , but Before Sunset stirs up many of the same memories, and emotions . The outcome is once again left up to you...would you make the same mistake twice....Rent or buy both movies you wont regret it
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic follow-up to 'Before Sunrise'!
Review: Having a nine-year gap between movies usually doesn't work out well for their makers, or the audience.... 'Before Sunset' is one very notable exception. We rejoin Jesse and Celine this time in Paris for a look at "what might've been" nine years after their blazing day/night in Vienna. The movie is one long dialogue-filled catching up session walking through the streets of Paris, in a bookstore, a cafe, on a boat and finally in her apartment. The interaction between them is filled with deep philosophical reflections on love, death, life, unhappiness and just about everything important in between.
The theme here shows that the writer/director has more than a passing fancy with 'Ulysses' by James Joyce. In fact, in the first movie, their meeting takes place on 'Bloomsday' June 16th which is the day chronicled in Joyce's massive novel. In the second movie, 'Shakespeare and Company' bookstore where 'Ulysses' was first published features prominently in the story because Jesse is talking about his own book which it just so happens chronicles a single important day in his life.... This little art imitating life and then reimitating art is a clever touch.
The acting by both Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy is intelligent, intense and most of all incredibly real! You feel like you know these characters as friends by the end of 'Before Sunset.' The ending is wisely kept open to the viewer's own interpretation of events. While seeing 'Before Sunrise' is not necessary to enjoy this movie, I would still recommend doing so first. For anybody out there who has had a one-night-stand and later on wondered "What if?" this movie is food for the heart and soul....
Rating:
Summary: an unforgettable encounter in life
Review: I have only read an interesting article on "Before Sunset" where I learned that it's a sequel to "Before Sunrise". The idea that two strangers met and had a brief yet powerful encounter and finally is reuniting after 9 years perked my interest. I decided to check it out. Having no expectations except a good review, the movie opened with Jesse (Ethan Hawke) talking about his new book. Then a stream of conversations exchanged between him and Celine (Julie Delpy) follows with no end and slowly the characters unveiled and their past revealed. I very much enjoyed the conversations, some stimulating, some funny, some simply flirting and yet there are also serious moments and then there are things that have no real purposes except to share with each other. The conversations seem so real and the characters can be people around us. Through the endless conversations, there were no physical intimacy, not even a kiss, but their emotional connection was so powerful that they continue to share their thoughts and not willing to part. Love without physical intimacy isn't complete, but love without emotional bonding isn't love at all. In "Before Sunrise" (I have not seen it and plan to see it soon), the characters have found the attraction so great that they fell in love, I think in "Before Sunset", they really built up the emotional bonding and thus make their love even more stronger. And both actors did a wonderful job in portraying the awkwardness, the uncertainties, the longings, the regrets, the anger and ended with the last scene where the chemistry between the two were escalated to the highest point in the movie, then the movie ended, leaving the viewer feeling exactly the same way as the characters, contradicted with powerful feelings and difficult decisions ahead of them.
A wonderful movie I thoroughly enjoy, but I do agree with some reviewers that if you are not up to endless conversations without much action happening, this may be not your cup of tea.
Rating: 
Summary: THEY WON'T STOP TALKING!!!
Review: I rushed out to buy this DVD after hearing and reading rave reviews about it. They say that when you get your hopes up too much over something you are bound to be disappointed. This proved precisely correct. After watching the first 20 minutes of the movie, I was ready to bang my head against the wall, to do anything to distract me from the voices on the screen that would just not shut up. Philosophizing before and after sunset should be the name of this movie. The actors never take a second to breathe, to take in the scenery. If you love to hear people blab over the environment and world events, this is the movie for you. The blabbing never ends. If you love outstanding original ideas, beautiful cinematagrophy, and invaluable lessons, rent ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. This is a real romance story.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully natural love story.....
Review: I was initially hesitant when I heard about this movie, a follow-up to "Before Sunrise". After hearing such great reviews, I finally watched it. I am so happy that I did. This movie was as touching as the first, as wonderfully acted and as naturally fulfilling. It seems like such a simple idea - two people reunite years after a brief romantic encounter. But, this movie grabs you and pulls you into the emotional realm of all the feelings of "what could have been" and "what ifs" like no movie I've seen before. It puts life and love in a refreshing perspective. It's almost impossible to not be able to relate to this story on some level or another as well as (perhaps) stirring up personal uncertainties and emotions. Yet, it's so simple and so beautifully played out.
Like "Before Sunrise", this movie follows Celine and Jesse as they walk & talk. I was impressed with the realism of the characters and that the same style was followed as before. Also, it was refreshing to see that the characters had developed and matured since the last movie; each with his or her own set of problems, uncertainties and life issues. It didn't just start where it left off, yet you could feel the connectedness they shared and never really lost.
As for the ending (I won't spoil it), I've seen other comments accusing it of being vague. I thought the ending was perfect and its ambiguity was the best route Linklater could've taken. There was a feeling of "are they or aren't they" throughout the movie (in regards to rekindling their love, ending up together, etc.) and I felt that the ending fit just right for that scenario.
If you enjoyed "Before Sunrise", you will love this movie. It's touching, smart, funny and thought-provoking.
Rating:
Summary: I grew up with these characters
Review: I was thrilled AND suspicious when I heard there was a sequel to Before Sunrise. After all, part of the thrill with the first movie was wondering if Jesse and Celine would meet again. I wondered if the magic of the first film would be ruined by continuing the story. In my honest opinion, the romance and chemistry continues in Before Sunset. Delpy and Hawke do a great job of making an 80 minute conversation entertaining. I am the same age as the characters, and I feel that Hawke, Delpy and Linklater accurately captured the change between being young 20 year olds to finding yourself in your early 30's. I saw myself reflected in these characters in both films. I know these films aren't for everyone, but I like both of them because I could relate to them. They reminded me of conversations I've held, dilemmas I've struggled to resolve and the excitement of connecting with someone special. Before Sunset may be boring to some, but its normalcy is what I find enchanting. I would love to see a third chapter to Jesse and Celine's romance, and I hope that I won't have to wait 9 years to see it. Yet, if there isn't a part III, I am satisfied with Before Sunset's ending. Like Before Sunrise, there are questions left unanswered, and there is the possibility that these two may never see one another again, depending on how you interpret the final scenes (which I loved). Where the story goes, if it continues at all, is left up to the viewers' imagination...at least until the next film is made.
Rating:
Summary: "Brief Encounter" meets "My Dinner with Andre."
Review: Like every other fan of Richard Linklater's "Before Sunrise," I indulged in a great deal of pleasurable speculation whether Celine and Jesse actually reunited in Vienna six months to the day after meeting there, and I wasn't particularly anxious for Linklater to answer that question definitively. Therefore, I was overjoyed to see that in the sequel, "Before Sunset," Linklater provides an answer that is not only satisfying, but actually improves on the original. The new film is set nine years later in Paris, where Celine (Julie Delpy) attends Jesse's (Ethan Hawke) book-signing for his novel based on that fateful night in Vienna. (Note: the years have been much kinder to Delpy than to Hawke; she looks gorgeous, he looks haggard.) With scarcely a beat, they resume their long-interrupted conversation about love and life, filling each other in about what they've been doing since they saw each other last. Set in real time as Celine and Jesse take a walk through Paris, the conversation (improvised by Hawke and Delpy on a framework provided by Linklater) builds quietly to overwhelming rushes of emotion, and ends on an ambiguous note that some viewers might find unsatisfying but I found abundantly believable and hopeful. Linklater, Hawke and Delpy keep the movie flowing gracefully, and Lee Daniel's glowing photography of Paris provides the perfect touch for a movie that appeals to the romantic in us all.
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