Young love.

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2004)

After seeing Richard Linklater's "Before Sunset", and loving every minute of it, I resolved to find the film that "Sunset" was a followup to: 1995's "Before Sunset". Both films star Ethan Hawke ("Dead Poets Society") and Julie Delpy ("White") as Jesse and Celine, two star-crossed lovers who have a penchant for engaging in long conversations on a wide variety of topics. In "Sunrise", Jesse and Celine meet while on a train to Vienna. Jesse is sightseeing in Europe, having been dumped by his girlfriend who he had originally intended to spend his vacation with. Celine is on her way back from a visit to her grandmother. Jesse is going to catch a plane in Vienna back to the United States, and convinces Celine to get off with him. The two wander around Vienna, talking, encountering the locals, and, of course, falling in love. The plot of "Before Sunrise" is minimalist; the film depends on the strength of the two lead actors, and the dialogue they are given. Fortunately, both are very strong. I prefer "Sunset" to "Sunrise", but both are excellent productions. I give "Sunrise" an 8, compared to the 10 I gave "Sunset".