Review of Before Sunset (2004) by Jeanine H — 05 Jun 2013

If Before Sunrise was about capturing love at first sight, Before Sunset is about a second chance at that initial connection and whether in the real world these things can be reignited or are indeed destined to fade. Sunset opens with Ethan Hawke slyly addressing some of the criticisms of the first film at a book reading, where he bumps into Julie Delpy, and then we're off to the races again. One thing immediately apparent is there's more of a time crunch at play, as the timeline is the shortest of the trilogy as is the 80-minute runtime. This trims the fat from Sunrise for a leaner, more urgent conversation, especially during the unforgettable climax, and it beautifully builds off of and works in their past to great effect.

Life has moved on in the nine years since Sunrise. The characters have grown up to find themselves with genuine responsibilities and a slightly different, hopefully wiser outlook, which can also be said for the two actors and their fearless leader Richard Linklater, and it allows them to push into new territory even though the structure remains largely unaltered. Before Sunset is rare craft - an essential sequel that feels effortlessly natural at the same time.