Before Sunset

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

The sequel to Before Sunrise, this follows our star-crossed lovers years in the future when they reunite next. I liked this one quite a bit more, possibly because they are closer to my current age? I can't relate to this story at all, but their conversation has a lot more life experience to it. It may be less romantic, since they both have experienced more romance and both have regrets, but I found the conversation (which these movies are entirely made out of) to be more realistic. In the last one I was constantly rolling my eyes as they both sounded like students in high school writing philosophy papers, which was maybe the point.

The idea of a chance meeting years in the future is what I find romantic, and the pain you can see in Hawke's character is so clear. He has lived his whole life in the shadow of that first meeting and everything since then has felt dull. I thought he was excellent again, honestly I think way better than Delpy. It might just be an accent barrier, but the way he rambles on feels much more true to life, and making him an author is a perfect choice for a character like that. I don't know anything about acting, but it feels like she is in a stage play and he is in real life.

My MVP of this movie goes to the taxi driver in the last 30 minutes. Guy hears some very personal stuff and keeps it professional, then waits outside her apartment knowing darn well no one is coming out soon.

Also, slight spoiler, but its hard to root for them knowing that Hawke's character is married. I think that adds to the tragedy of their reunion and makes for a way more interesting movie, but it feels a bit gross when he clearly falls back in love with her. But he explains he loves their son and his wife is also unhappy, so all is fine!