Before Sunset

Name: Before Sunset
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: July 2, 2004
Duration: 80 min
Rating: 90
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

2004

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 39 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 340 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 340 Ratings

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BEFORE SUNSET

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: July 2, 2004

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

Summary: The timeless romantic story of two questing hearts and minds whose powerful bond defies time and place. [Warner Independent Pictures]

Director: Richard Linklater

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 80 min

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Awards & Rankings

4	#4 Best Movie of 2004
37	#37 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
39	#39 Most Shared Movie of 2004

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

This is one of the most wildly romantic movies in ages. Read full review

100

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

Romantic, real and as generous as it is vulnerable, the art of conversation has rarely been so acute, honest and revealing. Read full review

100

The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann

The result is a peculiar small gem, a true Linklater gem. The verity of the film, rather than any novelty or twist, keeps us fixed. Read full review

100

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

This is a romance with minimal physical contact and sex--and that's part of what makes it work so well as a love story. Read full review

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

The ex-lovers' new conversation is stimulating and banal, selfish and broad-minded, affectionate and recriminatory, insightful and obtuse - in short, the kind of dialogue two people might have while pouring out their hearts and poring over their pasts. Read full review

ReelViews James Berardinelli

In the midst of summer's cinematic thunder and lightning, this is a rare moment of tranquility. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

All foreplay and no climax. Read full review

SEE ALL 39 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

EdisonF.

Apr 6, 2006

I love this movie because there's a girl like Celine in my life. I could not be with her because I will go abroad this fall. What a pity! I hate reality.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Jan 15, 2008

This movie is absolutely amazing, I don't know what C.M. saw but I think it should get $4 worth of brain cells.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

fearless11

Oct 4, 2012

Astonishing. Not just incredibly well-written and wonderfully engaging - you never feel like it's film because there is always a great sense of reality to it.
Amazing.

9 of 9 users found this helpful90

mrnice

Jan 8, 2013

How often can you study love on the big screen? My ex lent this to me as an example of what love "should be like". I guess I can only agree that it portrays romantic love as realistically as one could ask of a movie. The ending is great since it makes you reflect on your own hopes and expectations.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Jun 19, 2015

A continuation of Richard Linklater's "stream of consciousness" romance trilogy, Before Sunset is better than Before Sunrise, but not by much, because both are still phenomenal pieces of cinema. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are yet again fantastic in this film with their chemistry together onA continuation of Richard Linklater's "stream of consciousness" romance trilogy, Before Sunset is better than Before Sunrise, but not by much, because both are still phenomenal pieces of cinema. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are yet again fantastic in this film with their chemistry together on display for all to see. The two of them seem to just bounce off of one another and it gives the love between them a realistic feeling. Featuring the same hilarious moments, honest and riveting dialogue, and pure romance, as the first film, the thing that puts Before Sunset above Before Sunrise for me is the way in which the characters have grown. In the first film, they are innocent. They are both romantics who may not be open about this due to parts of their past, but deep down, they believe in love and "the one". Now, both are jaded and unhappy. Yet, though they claim otherwise, both are still romantics. They are simply both afraid to be hurt further and show the scars of love lost. There is a longing between both of them that has left both unsatisfied in other endeavors. Their dialogue suggests they are now both cynics who no longer believe in love, but in reality, it portrays them as people who deny their true feelings because they are afraid of it falling apart all over again. For this, Before Sunset shows great maturity amid its romance that leaves hope for the future, yet that hope is tempered and covered in doubt. What will happen? Will they find happiness? A brilliant film, Before Sunset shows Richard Linklater's talent as a writer and director for all to see.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

seancriswell

Apr 20, 2013

I am amazed that people have the same response to this film as they do to Before Sunrise. My experience was the polar opposite of the one I had with the first film in this series. The dialogue in Before Sunrise was fresh, romantic, and funny. The characters were endearing, I cared whatI am amazed that people have the same response to this film as they do to Before Sunrise. My experience was the polar opposite of the one I had with the first film in this series. The dialogue in Before Sunrise was fresh, romantic, and funny. The characters were endearing, I cared what happened to them and I wanted them to be together. In Before Sunset the characters have become jaded. They have white people problems. Life just is not turning out how they had hoped. They have good jobs, and people who love them but it is not enough. They want the romance back in their life, for things to be new again. Where in the first film it felt like they respected each others opinion, they were free to disagree without judgement. Here it feels as though they are preaching at each other. I'm right because my experiences dictate that I'm right. Your opinions are less valuable then mine because you don't have the same worldly experiences as me. These are certainly not unusually drawn characters for 30 somethings with similar cultural backgrounds, and are probably accurate more times than not. However spending an hour and a half with no one but these two people was not the pleasure it was the first time around, and at times was insufferable.

My respect for Hawke's character lessens even further in the third act when he begins to talk about his marriage. This is not a spoiler as we are to notice his ring right away and frequently throughout the first half. It is obvious he values little of the institution he has entered into, and instead has taken the typical modern approach to his vows. Perhaps and likely all of my issues with the film are Linklater's point. Perhaps these are typical views for people their age. my problem is I spent the first film with unique people. Characters who were looking at the world differently, with compassion and understanding. I couldn't wait to spend time with those people again. Those people are gone.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ElleR.

Apr 13, 2006

This was by far the worst movie I have ever seen. It was painfully boring.

0 of 5 users found this helpful

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