Before Sunrise (1995)

100% of critics liked it
(35 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(61,772 ratings)

Richard Linklater's third feature -- set, like his other works, over the course of one 24-hour period -- Before Sunrise is a sweet, intelligent romantic comedy filmed primarily in Austria. It stars Ethan Hawke as Jesse, a young American travelling through Europe. On a train he meets Celine, a French… More Richard Linklater's third feature -- set, like his other works, over the course of one 24-hour period -- Before Sunrise is a sweet, intelligent romantic comedy filmed primarily in Austria. It stars Ethan Hawke as Jesse, a young American travelling through Europe. On a train he meets Celine, a French student portrayed by Julie Delpy. Together they leave the train to begin exploring the city of Vienna, walking and talking into the wee hours of the night and slowly falling in love as the minutes before Jesse's return to the U.S. tick away. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Richard Linklater
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 27, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Nov 30, 1999
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dan Jardine, Cinemania
the film asks us to consider the very nature and purpose of our existence in a fragmentary, superficial and transient universe.
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
Linklater hasn't just crafted a detached portrait of a unique couple: he's painting a masterful examination of human nature, of that relationship we all want, but too often sadly see slip away.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Acting tour de force that feels exceptionally real
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Hawke and Delpy keep the tone not only afloat but mesmerizing. So natural are their performances that it seems impossible not to believe they truly are soulmates who are locked in a doomed, all-too-short affair.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Inspired by Godard's lyrical film-essays, Linklater revisits his unreleased debut (also set on a train), while paying tribute to Rohmer's cerebral moral fables. Though narrower in scope, this film is more mature and generous than previous efforts.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Agreeably alluring.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
É como testemunhar duas pessoas se apaixonando uma pela outra em tempo real: algo simultaneamente mágico, comovente e de partir o coração.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's the best pick up movie ever.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
While it's a bit awkward and self-indulgent, it also creates two extremely vivid characters and one of cinema's more believable romances.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

It is different. A movie that takes place over a day and night - just two strangers meeting each other on a train and finding out about each other before one of them has to fly back to America in the morning.
Paulo G

Nothing else quite catches the true essence of romance like Before Sunrise did. Along with its witty dialogue and showcase of great chemistry between Delphy and Hawke, it captures the heart of the audience, giving its wholesome insights about love, the most general and vague topic one… More
Nothing else quite catches the true essence of romance like Before Sunrise did. Along with its witty dialogue and showcase of great chemistry between Delphy and Hawke, it captures the heart of the audience, giving its wholesome insights about love, the most general and vague topic one could take.
Jens S

The premise may sound a tad boring: two strangers meet on a train to Vienna and decide to spend the night there by wandering through the streets talking, before they part ways again. It is the chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and their characters that makes this work,… More
The premise may sound a tad boring: two strangers meet on a train to Vienna and decide to spend the night there by wandering through the streets talking, before they part ways again. It is the chemistry between Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and their characters that makes this work, after all. Their conversations range from mundane, interesting to philosophical, but they always feel real, even if sometimes a little pretentious. That's still a lot more entertaining than it sounds and in its best moments even feels as if you are having a very special date in a beautiful city yourself. So when the film closes with shots from the places the couple visited, now empty and abandoned, you can't help but feel you were there with them, for that unique and interesting day in a foreign city.
Coxxie M

if you don't like this, you've probably never been in love and if you love the movie, then you're a pretentious bastard.
Steven C

This film has everything I look for (and sometimes demand) from a film. A tiny masterpiece of writing, acting, storytelling, characters and directing. A heartfelt film about human nature, connection and a philosophical exploration of love. Gentle and haunting.
Jameson W

Brilliant, brilliant film! I really liked Ethan Hawke in Training Day, so when I stumbled upon this film, I knew I wanted to check it out even though I had NEVER heard of it before. I absolutely loved it! This dialogue driven romance is close to perfection...you must see it!… More
Brilliant, brilliant film! I really liked Ethan Hawke in Training Day, so when I stumbled upon this film, I knew I wanted to check it out even though I had NEVER heard of it before. I absolutely loved it! This dialogue driven romance is close to perfection...you must see it! Before Sunrise is simply the story of a tourist and a French traveler who meet on a train, talk, and fall in love. Though it is simple and nothing more than a 100 minute conversation between two strangers, it's so much more! The script is absolutely perfect! The dialogue is smart, powerful, and real. Add to that the brilliant chemistry between Hawke and Julie Delpy and you have an excellent film that completely takes you in. You fall in love with the characters and believe everything they say. I cannot recommend this film enough!
Wildaly M

Must-see. This is what great romance movies are made of.
Lorenzo v

"No, then it's like some male fantasy. Meet a French girl on the train, fuck her, and never see her again." A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that… More
"No, then it's like some male fantasy. Meet a French girl on the train, fuck her, and never see her again." A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together. <center>REVIEW</center> 'Before Sunrise' is an example of cinema at its purest, simplest and most sincere form. How can I start describing it? Shall I start with the dazzling locations? The beautiful score? The stupendous screenplay? The breathtaking dialogues? The vivacious cinematography? The terrific direction? The excellent performances? Linklater is clearly a very versatile director. The way he's put everything in this film together is outstanding. Even though I'm familiar with Europe, the way he portrays the locations makes me want to visit those places. Throughout the film we see Jesse and Celine walk through the streets of Vienna and Linklater wonderfully returns to the same places in the end and even though both the characters have left for their respective current destinations the one feels their essence as if walking down memory lane. The development of the bond between Celine and Jesse is shown in a very subtle form. We can easily see how they are falling in love by noticing the way they look at each other, the way they talk to each other and the way they touch each other. The dialogues are sheer magic. The exceptional combination of humour, philosophy, spontaneity and subtlety brings a uniqueness about its treatment and yet it feels fascinatingly familiar. A charismatic Ethan Hawke and luminous Julie Delpy deliver natural performances. There is a sizzling chemistry and it is very easy to lose sight of the fact that they were acting. I feel both these two extraordinary actors are criminally underrated. The soundtrack marvelously stays in tune with the film. The cinematography guides us through the city as we walk along with Celine and Jesse, participating as silent observers without them being aware.
Sajin P

An amazing movie .Simple, honest and one of its kind(Along with its sequel).
Conner R

This is probably one of the most unique love stories ever put on screen, mostly because it's so honest and realistic. The complete dependence on the performances is an incredibly bold decision, which ultimately pays off. Both Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are amazing as a couple… More
This is probably one of the most unique love stories ever put on screen, mostly because it's so honest and realistic. The complete dependence on the performances is an incredibly bold decision, which ultimately pays off. Both Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are amazing as a couple and giving equally strong performances as realistic characters. You can tell that a lot of the mannerisms are borrowed from real life, but never does it feel as though we are seeing two actors on screen. The way the story is told is extremely well done, it manages to be romantic without even trying to be. I love that there's no soundtrack or even that many shots in the movie. It focuses on the story and characters.
Chris W

I have mentioned in some of my past reviews that of the many different types of film I enjoy, one of them is the type where the story takes place over the course of a few hours or a day. This is one such film. This also happens to be a film by Richard Linklater (whose work I really… More
I have mentioned in some of my past reviews that of the many different types of film I enjoy, one of them is the type where the story takes place over the course of a few hours or a day. This is one such film. This also happens to be a film by Richard Linklater (whose work I really enjoy). I'm not real big on romance films, but when I can find one done right, then I'm usually pretty happy. This is one of those films. This movie is almost sickeningly sweet and romantic. It's also pretty honest and realistic. This isn't some sort of feel-good fantasy, it's two souls who meet, spend a day together in a city just wandering around and talking, then part ways- possibly never to see one another again. This, like my favorite Linklater film (Dazed and Confused) is a film I would like to/wish I would have made. It's a simple concept, and shouldn't really work, but it does. I think it does work because iLinklater knows that films don't have to have plot to be good. Not much really happens here aside from walking and talking, but it feels like an immense amount of time has passed once the end credits roll. The characters have interesting things to talk about, and a lot fo this reminded me of sitting in smokey bars and greasy spoons yakking my head off over coffee or beer with friends. In a way, I feel a lot liek Jesse. I try to cover up romanticism with cynicism. I however, do not have the artsy, slacker attitude or looks of Jesse (or Hwake), and am not quite as cynical, but he is a character I feel I am on a similar plane with. Julie Delpy is charmingly cute, but not a sexy bombshell. I'm okay with that. I think she's a wonderful actress (with talent and looks), and she fits the part pefectly, as does Hawke. She seems too uptight and opinionated, just like how Jesse is perhaps too much of an immature bum. Even though these two aren't the most likeable people, you can't/don't hate them because they are too similar to most of the world's population. I basically loved everything about this film. The dialogue and performances have to carry it, because there's really nothing else, but that's fine, because those are done so well. The music and camera work are also nice. Besides just walking and talking the scenery is gorgeous, and the music is just as fun to listen to as the conversations. I think I may actually hate this film because I wish I would have seen it sooner and also because this is the type of thing I'd love to do (cinematically and in real life). I'm mad that this film beat me to it. It's a wonderful concept and the ending for me was just great. Had this been directed by some other director, most of this (if not all of it) would have been false, too sappy, and had an eyerolling worthy ending. Bravo.
Ken S

What everyone wishes their European vacation would be like.
Fernando Rafael Q

Impossibly charming, offbeat romance set in Vienna. The writing by Richard Linklater (who also directed) and Kim Krizan is genius. The honest, organic, realistic performances by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy make this love story relatable.
Dan S

A special, extremely romantic, and ultimately heart-wrenching film concerning two young adults who experience a "chance encounter" with one another. This is simple, organic, and completely brilliant film making, with both Hawke and Delpy rising to the occasion of engaging… More
A special, extremely romantic, and ultimately heart-wrenching film concerning two young adults who experience a "chance encounter" with one another. This is simple, organic, and completely brilliant film making, with both Hawke and Delpy rising to the occasion of engaging the audience consistently in a dialogue-driven film. Although it does bog down at certain points, the only little imperfection I noticed, this movie for the most part is flawless. I feared the ending would take a turn into "Hollywood" territory, but instead it stayed true to itself and the film felt completely realistic all the way to it's somber finale. I really wish more love stories like this would emerge into the limelight nowadays, instead of formulaic films with two sexy stars and no chemistry that seemingly never works anymore. This is one of the best movies I've seen concerning relationships and love - hands down.
familiar s

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah......... yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnn. Wonder why so many people like it so much!!! This surely wasn't my cup of tea.
Anthony L

Not many film makers get away with dialogue only films but with Hawke and Delpy's brilliant performances and electric chemistry, Linklater has produced his master piece. With some beautiful backdrops and excellent photography, Before Sunrise captures the very essence of love at… More
Not many film makers get away with dialogue only films but with Hawke and Delpy's brilliant performances and electric chemistry, Linklater has produced his master piece. With some beautiful backdrops and excellent photography, Before Sunrise captures the very essence of love at first sight. A beautiful film.
E.J. B

The best independent film ever!
Dean M

The romantic-drama film of two young people who meet on a Eurail train and hop off in Vienna to spend the day (and the night) exploring the city and getting acquainted with each other, is a lighthearted delight. Julie Deply and Ethan Hawke are immensely charming and their dialogue, as… More
The romantic-drama film of two young people who meet on a Eurail train and hop off in Vienna to spend the day (and the night) exploring the city and getting acquainted with each other, is a lighthearted delight. Julie Deply and Ethan Hawke are immensely charming and their dialogue, as they gradually fall in love, is credible and interesting. I was quite sad to see the young couple split on their final moment while they should return to their own home country. They felt so desperate to meet each other... say in the next 1 or 5 years, but they finally met after 9 years in the sequel, Before Sunset. Highly recommendation.
Sarah G

Director:Richard Linklater Released: 1995 Stars: Ethan Hawke, Julie Deply Genre: Drama, Romance Country: USA/Austria <a… More
Director:Richard Linklater Released: 1995 Stars: Ethan Hawke, Julie Deply Genre: Drama, Romance Country: USA/Austria <a href="http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/?action=view¤t=beforesunrise.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/beforesunrise.jpg" border="0"alt="Photobucket"></a> A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one romantic evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together. Every once in a while I come across a film that everyone else has seen except for me and Before Sunrise and Sunset are films which I haven't got around to seeing. Luckily today I sat and watched this wonderful poignent film and I have to admit that it totally blew me away. I remeber my Film Studies Lecturer raving about how great this film is. At the time I couldn't see it but after watching it I can see why. Before Sunrise is a film miles away from your conventinal American Romance where you most likely end up feeling grossed out or annoyed that your watching the most irritating actor or actress in Hollywood. Before Sunrise does not do that. You feel like your witnessing a relationship between two strangers which could happen anywhere, at any time. Almost makes you feel happier about life in that sense. I know, from reading reviews about this film, that it changed a lot of people's life, when it came out in 1995 and I can see why. Before Sunrise, makes you feel confident about life and sets you out on a journey which you probably didn't realise you were on. The characters are developed wonderfully. Ethan Hawke, plays a typical American, who doesn not speak any other language other than English-which is often touched upon in the film. You can releate to him well. Julie Deply, who I haven't seen much of, brilliantly depicts her character well and again, like Jesse(Hawke) you can relate to her very well. Both leads have excellent chemistry on screen and this is filmed well. The key to this though is the brilliant screenplay, which beautifully uses each line well to show the ever-changing relationship between the two strangers. Each conversation they have so brilliantly written and evident in life, which add to the realism of the film. I would quote something from the film but there are way too many quotes from this film, I wouldn't be doing it justice. All I cansay is that when you sit and watch this this relationship you are watching is real, which is down to the realistc dialogue written. The direction is simply brilliant. From the shots on the train to the scenery around Vienna, we get a sense of the one night that these two characters oare on and the world in which they find themselves in. Key to this is the fact the camera-95% of the time remains on them. Every bit of Scenery around Vienna for example, is depicted as part of their world-that being just the two of them. From long shots of the lush river through Vienna to the sunset in the morning, as a viewer you feel transported to this world and in some ways, feel like them, that you don't want this night to end either. Before Sunrise is probably wone of the most romantic, realistc films that I've seen and one of the best films of the 1990's. With the clever obervations on life and the depiction of a one night relationship, it's the sort of film that remind you why you like films. The only thing released recently that could resemble this is Lost in Translation, other than that there hasn't been a film like this for a long time and it's a crying shame. Before Sunrise is a masterpiece and one Romantic film that you'll never forget. One of the best romatic films I've seen in a long while.
Alice S

Unfolds like truth.