Before Sunset

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

This movie is the sequel to Before Sunrise which we watched earlier this year and quickly became one of my favorite romances. It takes place (and was filmed) nearly a decade after the first, and again simply follows the couple for a very short amount of time together.

I had very high expectations for this movie and they were very nearly met. Immediately I was disappointed at the start of this movie and vowed I wouldn't let myself like it for reasons I can't say without spoiling it. But as the evening goes along for this couple, you just can't help but let them win you over. They are so raw and authentic and relatable. There is less corny, idealistic dialogue in this one as the two are more mature and realistic, and the reality is that love as you age gets more complicated and less magical.

I don't agree with how these two describe and understand love, but I think that's the point. These are two people processing how they feel, trying to make their lives makes sense and trying to recapture the one time things felt right. I could totally understand their struggle. And in a movie where literally nothing happens, it's amazing the range of emotions you feel as two people basically just have an extended conversation.

This movie series is great, and Linklater is really cementing himself as one of my favorite artists in film. This one didn't quite have the magic of the first, but it came close and was it's own movie with it's own questions. Highly recommend.