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• Before Sunset (2005) is a romantic hidden gem

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In 1995, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) met on a train in Europe, spent the evening together in Venice and then tragically parted ways Before Sunrise. He was from America, she was from France and their different lives kept them from furthering a beautiful relationship.

Now, 10 years later, they meet again in Before Sunset. Jesse is doing a book tour throughout Europe, and he runs into Celine in a Parisian bookshop. The two pick up immediately where their night in 1995 left off, taking the afternoon to stroll through the streets of Paris and discussing life post-1995, as well as their could-have been relationship. The film is a testament to the simplicity in being heart-wrenchingly romantic, as the film contains nothing but smart, romantic dialogue and beautiful French scenery. Two people simply walking and talking is rarely this cinematically rewarding, yet director Richard Linklater fashions a film that is romantic, cute and altogether wonderful in its presentation.

By using no romantic gimmicks or sugary plot elements, Before Sunset is a reunion that feels authentic, presenting audiences with characters who seem like everyday people. Meeting the perfect someone (even if it’s the one that got away) and establishing such a magical connection comes rarely in life, and it is captured perfectly in Before Sunset.