Before Sunset

Reviewed by FRANCESCA RUDKIN

Herald rating: * * * *

The 1995 cult classic predecessor of this, Before Sunrise, gave the traditional OE a whole new meaning.

The romantically inclined snapped up Eurail passes in anticipation of an incredibly dreamy interlude with a fellow traveller, while the more cynical were more than happy to believe that our heroes, Jesse and Celine, never met again.

Regardless of which side you were on, it was refreshing to watch a movie that left you hanging.

To watch Before Sunset, all you need to know about Before Sunrise is that it was a simple film about young couple Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy) who met on a train travelling to Vienna - and connected in every way possible. They had only one romantic evening together and parted with plans to meet in Vienna six months later.

Although we never learn what happened to Jesse and Celine, the audience was left with a feeling that their time together was much more than just a one-night stand.

Before Sunset picks up the story nine years later. Jesse, who is in Paris promoting his best-selling novel based on that particular night, bumps into Celine.

With only 80 minutes before Jesse has to catch his plane, he and Celine walk around Paris catching up on each other's lives, and we learn more about that supposed rendezvous in Vienna.

Starting off upbeat, the two are positive about their lives, but as they begin to reconnect, their honesty increases.

Jesse is slightly dissatisfied with everything in life, while Celine has become disillusioned with love.

It appears we were right - that one-night stand has had an everlasting impact on both these characters' lives.

Fans of Before Sunrise might be concerned that a sequel runs against the indie spirit. But Linklater is more aware of that than anybody and he continues to create suspense around this unconventional romance.

Hawke and Delpy are remarkable together. The film is shot in real time and the 80 minutes Jesse has is the 80 minutes we see.

Although Delphy and Hawke talk almost non-stop they make it flow perfectly. The two seamlessly create room for moments of silence, disappointments, realisations, and leave you with the idea that the two characters once again have no idea what the outcome of this encounter will be.

It seems a perfect time for Hawke to be making this film. Although his own personal situation is not exactly the same as his character Jesse, the gaunt and world-weary look he's cultivating at present sits well with this character.

Fans of Before Sunrise shouldn't be afraid of this sequel. They may actually leave hoping that Linklater revisits these two again in another nine years.

CAST: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke

DIRECTOR: Richard Linklater

RUNNING TIME: 80 minutes

RATING: M (offensive language, sexual references)

SCREENING: Village and Rialto cinemas