Maybe you DON'T need to love,even like chatty movies to appreciate this...

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2007)

...but it might improve your enjoyment.
HAving said that,I think that this is a film for anyone who appreciates character over plot and wants a film to respect his or her ability to follow a story.
Jesse(Ethan Hawke in a roll where,to me,he became A LOT more likable),a college student on vacation(more of a wanderlust)in Europe meets,via chance encounter,Celine(Julie Delpy,ethereal,beautiful and bright),a French student also on roam. They hit it off instantly,stop off in Vienna on wait for each others' trains taking them in different directions,and spend a thoughtful,chatty evening-into-overnight-into-morning together,taking in the aged,beautiful scenery of the old German city. As they bond over their conversation,an attraction builds,but then a dilemma ensues:should they indulge in a physical relationship,fully aware of the fact that once they part they may never see each other again? Decisions,decisions...
Director Richard Linklater,to the best of my knowledge,had never filmed a movie outside of his home state of Texas(and mostly Austin)prior to this offering,but his slow-moving,attentive camera and sound are able to capture much of the beauty and warmth of old Europe and the people who roam the streets as well as the central characters. Some may dismiss this as a "Date movie" or a "Chick flick",but to me,this film is FAR above either of these genres:this is a romance that's made around real,human character,that has no easy answers and no clean lines of plot denouement. I have,I must confess,some fond memories of seeing this. I was back in college,and my school's arts,entertainment and activities organization(I think most colleges have one)had agreed,through its films department,to screen films not yet released to local(read:mostly students)audiences,with the admission to the screenings being free. Previously,we'd screened films like "Trapped in Paradise"(bad)and "Mixed Nuts"(very bad)and I felt like we'd gotten what we'd paid for. This was next up,and it was like a revelation: a free,thoughtfully,well-made large studio production that I(and about two hundred other lucky sorts)got to see for free!
I can say that whether you pay for it(And as a twelve-year old movie,it can't be more than a cheap rent anymore)or see it for(almost)free on cable,you'll be getting high quality. All that's left is you,the viewer,and your ability to enjoy it.