Before Sunrise
Before Sunrise

Before Sunrise

1995Movie101 minEnglish

An unexpected meeting on a train leads two travelers to spend an evening wandering through Vienna. As the night unfolds, they share stories and conversations about life and love, exploring new ideas while a quiet intimacy grows between them, knowing it may be their only night together.

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Insights

IMDb8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users93%
Director: Richard LinklaterGenres: Romance, Drama

Plot Summary

Jesse, a young American traveling through Europe by train, meets Céline, a French student, on their way to Vienna. They strike up an intense conversation and, on a whim, decide to disembark in the city and spend the night walking and talking together before Jesse must catch his flight home the next morning. As they explore Vienna, they delve into deep philosophical discussions about life, love, and their hopes for the future, forging a profound connection in their brief time together.

Critical Reception

Before Sunrise was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its naturalistic dialogue, intimate portrayal of burgeoning romance, and the compelling chemistry between its leads. Critics praised Richard Linklater's minimalist direction and the film's authentic depiction of human connection, establishing it as a touchstone of independent cinema and romantic storytelling.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic and intelligent dialogue that captures the essence of a real connection.
  • Hailed for the captivating performances of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, whose chemistry drives the film.
  • Celebrated as a refreshingly realistic and profound exploration of love and human interaction.

Google audience: Audience reviews frequently highlight the film's genuine conversations and the relatable, intimate portrayal of two strangers falling for each other. Many appreciate the naturalistic feel and the emotional depth achieved through simple storytelling.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's dialogue was largely improvised, with director Richard Linklater and the lead actors developing the conversations through extensive discussions and a script that served more as an outline.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A very simple but very human film, with very good feelings and dialogue.** Contrary to what I like to do, I saw this film after seeing its sequel, “Before Sundown”. It's a very nice story about an American tourist who is enchanted by a...
edward

edward

Box office $ 5.5 million This was the first time I saw a movie that had nothing close to a human antagonist, yet it kept me glued to the screen. Sure I've read a few novels of the kind but surely they weren't "oh I'm glued" stuff. Everyb...