Directed by:
Richard Linklater
Screenplay by:
Richard Linklater
Julie Delpy and
Ethan Hawke
Story by:
Richard Linklater and
Kim Krizan
Based on characters created by:
Richard Linklater and
Kim Krizan
Ethan Hawke …. Jesse
Julie Delpy …. Celine
Basic plot: Jesse is in Paris for a book signing. While there he spots Celine, the girl he spent a night walking around Vienna with nine years previously, the details of which form the basis for his book. They wander around Paris catching up before Jesse has to get the plane back to America.
Wow! This is the sequel to Before Sunrise and is that rarest of things. A sequel which is as good as the original.
Filmed in real time, you get more of a sense of the urgency this time round. From the moment that Hawke and Delpy are reunited on the screen, the chemistry is back. This is onscreen chemistry most filmmakers dream of between their romantic leads.
Once again nothing happens. But, once again, a hell of a lot happens. Unlike the first film, the outside lives of the characters is fleshed out. But that makes sense. They are catching up with each other. And answering questions about themselves and their lives.
There is also more humour in this film. Which does work. It signifies that even after all those years, they are still comfortable with each other.
The dialogue sounds as if it has been improvised. That it hasn’t shows the amazing acting skills of Delpy and Hawke. The camerawork flows with Linklater relying on long takes again.
The script is superb, and slightly autobiographical (Jesse is stuck in a loveless marriage, echoing Hawkes split from Uma Thurman). At times it seems less that you are watching a film and more like you are watching a long, rambling conversation. And it contains just enough information about Sunrise so that you can keep up even if you haven’t seen it. (Although I highly recommend you do.)
I cannot praise Before Sunset highly enough. Hopefully, this is indicitave of the sort of film we can expect from Warner Independent.
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