Before Sunset (2004)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

Director: Richard Linklater

Time: 80 mins

Viewed: in home theatre

Sequel to 1995's talky but heartfelt romance Before Sunrise has the two protagonists, Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy) reuniting in Paris 9 years later. Still filled with lengthy discourses about world affairs, jobs, and love, but this time it is more engaging and humorous, as the older and more world-weary duo start off being awkward, then graduate to playing jokes, before finally expressing cynicism and sadness about their current lives and, most of all, their regrets at missed opportunities. Hawke and Delpy had a hand in the script, and are so comfortable and natural with each other none of the scenes seem staged. Ending is abrupt but in keeping with the film and its original.

(c) Joe Wong (22 February 2005)