''Before Sunset'' (2004 film)- Review

Directed by: Richard Linklater
Released: 2004
Country: United States

Genre: Romantic drama

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Having loved, loved, loved ''Before Sunrise'', I was eager to check out the sequel Before Sunset. I watched the sequel yesterday, and needless to say, I loved it.

The film is set nine years after the events of Before Sunrise. Jesse, played by Ethan Hawke, has written a book inspired by the night that he had spent with Celine all those years ago. He is in Paris on a promotional tour for his book. There, he comes across Celine. It is then revealed that they had not actually meet as they had planned at the end of the first film. Though Jesse had come to Vienna, Celine could not come because of the sudden death of her grandmother. They walk through the streets of Paris, visiting  a cafe, riding a boat, reminiscing about the wonderful time that they had spent together all those years back and with the the passage of time, their feelings are rekindled, more details about their lives come into light. 

I loved the performances of both Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. I found them as perfect as they were in the predecessor. The two of them deliver marvelous performances, making the chemistry between Jesse and Celine beautiful, sweet and touching. I loved these two characters, the way they express their feelings. The perfect performances of these two actors make the two characters so beautifully fleshed out, so easy to appreciate and love. This is what I think is most necessary to make a love story a perfect one. To develop characters whom we can admire and love. The screenplay by Linklater, Hawke and Delpy is perfect, just perfect. The way these two characters converse, reminisce, share their feelings is excellently portrayed. Also to be mentioned is the lovely, touching song that Celine sings near the end of the film.

''Before Sunset'' is as gentle, simple and lyrical as its predecessor. There is beauty in it, a simple beauty which is what makes it such a sophisticated, lovely romance that is impossible not to fall in love with it. And here are two characters whom we fell in love with in the predecessor. I loved seeing the two of them again. The entire movie feels so real, so  perfect.

4.5 out of 5