Excellent sequel cleverly plays on ambiguities in the first

Rating: 9/10 (4 August 2004)

This is a great film that I recommend to anyone - including those that might normally avoid 'romantic' films. Like the first (Before Sunrise) it's not slushy and manages to keep your attention throughout, despite the fact that the whole film centers on the dialogue between the two leads.
However, I would also recommend that anyone intending to watch this film tries to see Before Sunrise first. If you do, or if you have already, then I have an interesting question for you: did they sleep together? I have found that the answer is almost consistently the opposite depending on whether the person I ask is male or female (I'll leave you to decide which is which).
This question, which I remember discussing with the girl I saw the first film with, is played upon very well in the script of Before Sunset. They also managed to develop the characters in a completely believable way, with both revealing how complex their lives had become since their last encounter. In common with the first film there is some interesting social commentary and the film deals very well with the cultural subtleties between the two leads.
What disappoints me is how a quality US film like this seems to get such limited exposure in its country of origin. At least that's what it seems like from over here....