Review of Before Sunset (2004) by Isaac B — 26 Mar 2015

This film earns three stars because it carries several of the pros such as the realism and the unique style of storytelling from the first movie. These characters have aged and changed in slight ways but still are built of the same principles as in the first film and this one shows this beautifully.

This definitely did not feel like a forced sequel, it fit and made sense. I love the fact that the experiences Jesse and Celine shared in the first film have clearly effected them here. The movie opens at a book signing where Jesse is in Paris discussing his just finished novel about his time a decade ago with Celine.

This was a perfect move by Richard Linklater. A difference from the first film is that this one takes place in real time. The movie's duration is one hour and twenty minutes and shows these characters together almost in a never-ending scene for the entire time.

This was an extremely interesting and different from any other film I've ever seen. Where this film falls is how it does not feel like a complete movie or one that can stand on its own. Without seeing the first film, this one would not be very enjoyable and ends on such a frustrating cliffhanger it just does not feel complete without the next installment.

In my opinion, every movie in a franchise should be its own and feel complete while helping the franchise as a whole. This film seems like it was put there just to help the franchise, not to be its own movie.

This is still a great film with a wonderful script, astounding direction and two excellently developed and loved characters, I just simply wish it could stand better on its own.