Review of Before Sunset (2004) by Derin S — 12 Jul 2010

As a sequel, Before Sunset is more of the same, yet a whole lot more. While the film explores territory similar to that of its predecessor, our central characters' circumstances have, needless to say, changed substantially. Having not seen each other since their night together in Vienna together nine years prior, it's remarkable to see how quickly the two manage to pick back up right where they left off. With this comes the sense of genuineness that made the first film so enjoyable, along with the chemistry between our two leads that's as spot-on as it can be.

Before Sunset, like Sunrise, starts out innocently enough, what with Jesse and Celine almost mindlessly babbling about everything they've been up to over the years and then some. As it progresses, it becomes apparent that these individuals really do belong together, and they both know it, but therein lies the problem of Jesse's wife and kid and Celine's current fling with an unknown suitor. Thanks to some excellent pacing and a clever, nearly flawless script, their true emotions begin to bubble forth as their time together draws to a much-dreaded close, revealing that true love is really what they share. These sequences, to me, were where Before Sunset managed to excel the most, thus allowing me to favor it very slightly over Sunrise, and I do stress very. With little room for error outside of what some may think of the ending, it's hard not to acknowledge Richard Linklater's 2004 masterpiece as one of the decade's best.