Before Sunset

If Before Sunrise is the thinking man’s romance, then Before Sunset is the romantic’s sequel. Rarely has a follow-up felt more poignant or welcome, as Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) bump into each other in Paris nine years after their first and only magical encounter. The formula may not have changed, but anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to run into an old flame will lap up the awkward rekindling and underlying sexual tension between the two amiable protagonists. Meanwhile, director Richard Linklater is astute enough to leave the whole ordeal open-ended, which means the upcoming Before Midnight can’t come soon enough.  

5/5