‘Before Sunset’ is a romantic-drama sequel to ‘Before Sunrise’, released nine years earlier in 1995. I don’t recommend watching this film until you have watched Sunrise. If you have not seen ‘Before Sunrise’, SKIP the rest of this PARAGRAPH because of SPOILERS. In [spoiler]‘Before Sunrise’, two strangers, Jesse and Celine, meet in Vienna and share a one-night affair, promising each other it would be a casual one-day affair. However, they fell in love and parted ways in the morning, each in opposite directions. Neither knew each other’s last names, phone numbers, or addresses, but they departed with the promise to meet up again six months later at the same train station. Circumstances kept them from uniting them then, and they led separate lives for nine years.[/spoiler] In Sunset, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) becomes a prolific writer and writes a bestselling novel depicting the unforgettable day he spent with Celine. In his book tour, he travels to Paris, and Celine (Julie Delpy) goes to meet him. They immediately reconnect and pick up where they left off nine years earlier, despite being older, more mature, and changed people. It’s as if their love for each other transcends time and space. This time, though, Jesse has only until sunset to drive to the airport and return to the US, giving them two hours together in Paris.

I found this film touching and filled with warmth. The dialogue, acting, directing, camera work, and cinematography are superb. Many scenes go on for minutes. In fact, one shot lasts over 11 minutes long, which is remarkable to get everything right. I believe ‘Before Sunrise’ and ‘Before Sunset’ have some of the best dialogue lines I have heard, crafted by director Richard Linklater and principal actors Hawke and Delpy. It always feels genuine and tangible that you lose track of the fact that it’s a movie. We notice their strengths and flaws, thoughts and dreams, happiness and heartbreak, fears and hopes—all encapsulated within the brief time they have to explore Paris. I can’t get enough of the line delivery and chemistry between Hawke and Delpy. It’s almost perfect with infectious charm. The atmosphere and setting filmed in Paris, the City of Love, is such an ideal fit for making this film work on a thematic level. It’s also relatable, much like ‘Sunrise’ was, for anyone who ever reconnected with an old friend or classmate or acquaintance years later and picked up their friendship right where they left off. Jesse and Celine click with such honesty that you feel you are eavesdropping on a private, intimate moment.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I suggest you watch ‘Before Sunrise’ before this film, but I enjoyed both very much, especially the dialogue. While there isn’t much edge-of-the-seat action, I still believe you’ll be eager to see how the film unravels and whether they end up together.