Trumps its predecessor

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 2004)

Before Sunset outdoes its predecessor, Before Sunrise (a good film in its own right), because we are faced with the same characters in a more dramatic setting in their lives. The idealized and rather immature notion of romance is gone, but parts of it is sought after by both Celine and Jesse, who face the all-too-familiar stage of loneliness and boredom in the mundane aspects of their days. Powerful and heartbreaking, their conversations reach so much deeper than simply a declaration of love, but also encompasses confession and understanding of pain and loss. It is a great movie through and through, right from the beginning to the end (especially the magnificent ending). If you haven't seen Before Sunrise yet, I recommend seeing it before you see this one.
joe k.