Two star crossed lovers meet again after 9 years

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2011)

It would be interesting to know the gestation of this sequel to Before Sunrise, which itself was a lovely film about young love in Europe...why nine years later? Was it partly because director Richard Linklater realized how unsatisfying the ending to the first was? I have to agree with other reviewers that Before Sunset was the better of the two films largely because of the mature emotion involved. Yet, almost like the first film, Linklater leaves a question mark at the end.
Will there be another episode such as After Sunset....in the mood of the Age of Innocence? The only real flaw I found in the first film was it's unrealistic ending. And, I think Linklater must have realized this, too. That's why in Before Sunset he makes reference to it a couple of time: No phone number or address.
But Sunset reveals, especially in Julie Delphy's performance, a depth of emotion about lost love and redemption, seldom seen in American films. This depth is best exhibited in the SUV cab ride they share.
Both Ethan Hawke and Delphy act out of their shoes in this film, a film about two life's loves, lost and then found. Have hankies handy,