I loved Before Sunrise, while slow at times, I loved the atmosphere, and the "stream of conciousness" type quality about it. I like how Julie Delpy's character says something like we all are constantly trying to make connections, and we usually fail, but she says that the purpose of life must be in the attempt (don't quote me literally).

I didn't know there was a sequel though. This may be my next movie to see. Is it out in limited release?

Thanks for sharing!!!
Patricia

Here is the thread you're referring to:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34508032

I haven't seen it yet, as a matter of fact, I'm still trying to rent Before Sunrise. Unfortunately, most Blockbusters closeby don't carry it!!!

yk - If I can get my copy back by Thursday, I'll have my "Before Sunrise" DVD hand-carried to you...

cigale, I am glad to hear that your first day out was enjoyed~

Why thank you, Scarlett, Thursday will be two films at the French film festival, making up for lost time.
I'll report back on them.

Here's a mini review I wrote for another forum. No spoilers (at least not in my own post), so feel safe to read it before watching the movie.

http://soundandvisionmag.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=33030

Ray, I loved your review AND i AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID ABOUT THE FILM.!( sorry, sticky keys)

Thanks for renewing this topic, cigalechanta. I am still trying to find the time to see the movie! I saw Before Sunrise a month ago on the local cable channel. It is soo good. The best thing about it (besides the scenery) is the natural dialogue. They say what we all would say and feel.

I saw this movie yesterday. There were about 8 people in the whole theater-it was definitely not a door buster. My friend and I agreed that we had never seen such a mindless, inconsequential movie. A couple of people with obvious "issues" talking (stream of conciousness) nonstop for over 1 hour. Absolutely nothing else happened. Boring. I guess the guy missed his plane.

Margo's posting only goes to show the old adage "There's no accounting for taste". I *loved* this movie and the theater in which we saw it was virtually sold out for a 2:30 pm show on Monday, July 5th--granted it was a holiday. What makes it a relevant topic on this board is the wonderful feeling of being in Paris that one gets while watching these 2 *older* young people hash out the issues of life and love.

Everyone's entitled to a personal opinion. However, I think if you didn't like this particular movie you just don't understand what it's all about. It helps to have seen the first installment, Before Sunrise, also. Otherwise, you won't appreciate it as much also.

Good point, francophile--but even though I had *not* seen the 1st installment, I thought that between the visual flashbacks and their conversation that the movie stood alone very well. Also, now I can look forward to seeing the earlier film!!

It's okay for anybody to post his/her opinion about a movie, but Margo's post includes a major spoiler. THAT IS NOT COOL for people who haven't watched it.

As for box-office numbers, when I watched it in Houston last Saturday afternoon, there were also only about 20 people in the theater. But that doens't stop it to gross about $9,000 per screen over the weekend, the same as Spiderman 2 or Anchorman, and better than almost all other movies.

This is an independent film that is shown in selected theaters only. It's not like a typical blockbuster type of movie like Spiderman 2 that's shown everywhere so it's not going to draw alot of people. Besides, it may not appeal to everyone. It has been doing well enough financially though.

Most americans like action films and are not used to dialog, that's why, I cautioned if you love Rohmer's films(I own several) You'll love this one.

I just saw it over the weekend while in Chicago, and there were not more than 15 others in the theatre with me. I was not particularly impressed with the movie and felt very unsatisfied where (and how) it ended. I'm not the only one -- there was a collective and audible "what?" uttered by those in the theatre when the credits started rolling.

I never saw the earlier movie, and maybe I would have liked it more if I had seen it, but I would not recommend this movie to any of my friends. The only part I liked was seeing some of Paris. (Also, I don't think the movie lasted any longer than about 1 hr. 15 minutes or so.)

Susan

Last night DH said, "Honey, why don't you go get out by yourself for awhile and see a movie." Yippee! I was all excited about seeing Before Sunset as I'd loved Before Sunrise. Not playing in my city. Well then, since I was so in the mood for it, I decided I'd just rent the original. I tried just about every movie rental place in town and NOBODY HAD IT. I may have to buy the darn thing online now.

belleaire. It ended with him not going back. Remember? She says, you're going to miss your flight. He answers, I know.
Fadeout!.

I saw the first movie and I think that it helps lay the foundation for this movie. The best way for me to describe it is "a slice of life." I really enjoyed it but I thought that Delpy and Hawke had great chemistry in the first one.

I thought that they had great chemistry which is why I understood the Before Sunset.

Again I feel that you need to see Before Sunrise to really appreciate Before Sunset.

Before Sunset just got a rave review in The New Yorker. Mentioned how good Before Sunrise was (can't get this locally - is it available on Netflix ?) and then said a sequel should be made. A real rave review.

Bedar, I've been able to get Before Sunrise from Netflix. It's currently in my queue.

You should be hired as a tour guide!

Mimi, I will be your tour guide ANY TIME in Paris as long as you are my tour guide in Provence!!

Went to this on a Friday night...full theater! I think just about everyone in the theater had seen Before Sunrise, because you could hear the engagement-- collective sighs, gasps, laughter. It was wonderful. Amazing performances. It was pretty clear that the audience loved it.

Went with one friend who had seen the first movie...told the others that they MUST rent the video/CD first.

Only problem: do the titles preclude another film?????

I sure hope so!

Seems like the good reviews and word of mouth is working. During the 3rd weekend, "Before Sunset" expanded from 63 to 122 screens, and box office ROSE 20% from the 2nd week. It has now grossed $1.7mil, and should be profitable as the movie was made for only $2.7mil. DVD sales should be pretty decent.

All this means a 3rd (and even more) installments are possible. But I think it'd take a few more years, as Linklater figured yet a different format/structure for the 3rd film. I guess (and I hope) it'll also depend partly on the real-life experiences of Hawke and Delpy, as this 2nd film has.

You mean how Hawke is also an author and Delpy sings?

Haven't read the thread too carefully but re Hawke as author, hasn't he published a couple of novels (well, at least one)?

Ethan Hawke has published 2 books I think. The Hot Zone maybe is one of them. I should read them one day. If he is as good a writer as he is an actor, it would be worth my while.

I was wrong- It is called The Hottest State and the other book is Ash Wednesday.

There are other details in the movie that apply to the real life experiences of Hawke and Delpy. Hawke's failed marriage to Uma Thurman is the most apparent one. Delpy having went to school in NYC is another...

If their own personal experiences were different, then the same script and dialog will not work, or will be much weaker, in my opinion.

I thought he was also a painter, but I could be wrong. But Hawke & Delpy also helped write the screenplay; they get credit at the end of the film along with another bloke.

Just saw "Before Sunset" in the theare. Really enjoyed certain acting moments, but I wanted MORE, MORE, MORE. More of the fine music they played. .. a little more time with the characters (20 more minutes would have satisfied me), and most of all: MORE BEAUTIFUL SHOTS OF PARIS, who is the real diva of the film!! But overall, a very satisfying experience. I'll take this over "Spiderman" or "I, Robot" any day of the week!

I believe that the "other bloke" who helped write the script was the director!

Also I found the character Celine's comment about French men not being as "horny" as American men to be very strange...and I dare say, very inaccurate!

bettyo70 - Remember Celine is French, a Parisian. She therefore would have a totally different point of view than American women.

BTW, story of "Before Sunset" is by Richard Linklater (director of both "Sunrise" and "Sunset") and Kim Krizan (co-screenwriter of "Sunrise"). Screenplay is by Linklater, Hawke & Delpy.

Hi rkkwan,
I made the observation about that strange comment in the film regarding French men because when I was in France, it seemed to me that French men had a "very healthy" interest in women. (You're right, though: it could be that whole fascination with foreign women in general, which goes both ways.)

Cheers!

The film made me glad that I am going back to see my vacation romance to see if there is anything else there. Some connections are unforgettable.

We just saw this movie this weekend. I'm still haunted by it. What really amazed me, upon analysis, is how natural and unscripted the dialogue was. I remember thinking the same about "Before Sunrise"--that it was the same type of conversations I remember having in college--and was impressed they were able to maintain the same feel for this movie. Both my husband and I loved it and the ending was just perfect.

First, I've seen both movies (Sunrise and Sunset) and really enjoyed them.

But, since this is a travel message board, I wonder if anyone has figured out just where in Paris the characters are walking in Before Sunset. I was following along OK until they start walking along what appears to be a narrow, elevated, park. Don't know where on the left bank that would be...starting at Shakespeare & Co. and ending back at the quay along the Seine.

Anybody have the answer?

The elevated part is the Promenade Plantee.

They start off in Shakespeare & Co. Then they are walking along the rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre then they veer off towards the rue Monge area. SUDDENLY they are in the Marais near the Village St-Paul (I recognized some of the signs). Then SUDDENLY they're on the Promenade Plantee (above the Viaduc des Artes). Please see my notes above where I outlined it a little more in depth.

I would like to know the name of the cafe.

Well merci, Beatchick, because I was lost!

The cafe, by the way, was called Le Pure Cafe. There IS such a place listed in Paris at 14, rue Jean Macé in the 11th. Don't know if it is the one in the movie though.

Awesome KidstoLondon (David, right???)!! What a great exchange of information. I'll bet it is the same since they moved to the Marais, went to the cafe and then were seen on the Promenade Plantee (Viaduc des Artes) which is in the 11th; just stands to reason. I was telling my kids just last night that this is one of those movies I'd love to see again on the big screen - WOW!!

Didn't you just feel like you were walking along with them?

This was a refreshing film after all the car chases we watch because of my boy who is crazy about those films.

These films were disappointing. Not enough of the cities were shown to make up for the lack of interesting conversation. They are but pale imitations of Ma Nuit chez Maude.

To BEDAR: Who directed the film that you mentioned? "Chez Ma Mere..."?
I would love to check it out. (I too was disappointed with how little Paris was used in "Before Sunset.")
Thanks/Merci!

I was glad I used a discount ticket.

My night at Mauds (not mere) is Directed by Eric Rohmer, one of my favorite directors, Another he did that is wonderful, is "photograghed in Annecy and mostly on Lac Annecy."Claire's Knee"

Thanks, Cigale! I am totally infatuated with Paris and will check out these films that you mentioned.
I remember the film "Diva" (from the 1980s) had some exciting shots of Paris also.

Betsy these are not in Paris. but if you can get, the original french film of The man who loved women.""
Also ask Facets to send you their French video Catalog. I've bought many vids from them. Those who live in remote areas can rent from them.
A great search engine for their inventory.
www.facets.org

I just saw this yesterday. Charming movie and interesting dialogue -- if a bit scripted, some nonsensical and some really clever and funny.

But I do enjoy this more than the Eric Rohmer movie ("Ma Nuit chez Maud") that I saw, which is much more serious. By the way, with no disrepect for cigalechanta, watching Rohmer's movies have been likened to watching paint dry. I forget who said this actually, but a Google search may reveal the proper attribution.

There's not enough of Paris in "Before Sunset" though.

Another movie with nice shots of Paris is Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You." I don't think I've seen this mentioned her. It's a pseduo-musical. I find it quite enjoyable. It's set in NYC, Paris and Venice.

good morning everyone, how about my favorite Audrey Hepburn film, "Love in the Afternoon."

I finally saw "Everyone Says I Love You" Friday night! For a musical it's wonderful!! I don't normally enjoy musicals too much.

How can you say not enough of Paris was shown in the movie, they're constantly walking thru Paris!! Is it because it didn't show enough of the famous landmarks? I myself was thrilled to be walking down familiar streets with these characters, catching glimpses of well-known churches in the background, familiar street signs.

I loved the dialogue, especially considering that much of it was ad-libbed. There was a freshness & immediacy to the interchange between the characters. This is one movie I've vowed to see again on the big screen before it's gone forever to video.

I, too, love Love in the Afternoon, mon chere, Cigalechanta, especially the Paris scenes, the view of rue Malebranche (which is why I looked up the address my last trip!), the view of the Ritz from the top of the Vendome tower. But my favorite Audrey Hepburn film (filmed in Paris) is still Charade. I took it home this weekend just so my mom could watch/share it with me.

I also finally got to see The Truth About Charlie which was good but not nearly as good as Charade - paled in comparison. Plus, it didn't seem to be as witty, there wasn't the riposte & rejoinder that you find between Hepburn and Grant, nor the inside jokes (Grant saying to Hepburn "right here, on the street where you live" ~ from My Fair Lady, or him saying to Jean Louis "clever fellow" which is one of his lines from An Affair to Remember).

I don't think that I'm giving anything away regarding the movie when I say this -- but you know, I was quite glad when the Ethan Hawke character said in the cafe something like "I'll be on the plane for the next eight hours. Do you mind if we walk around Paris a bit?" Yes, that was good.

I think that NYC, Paris and Venice come across as absolutely charming in the Woody Allen movie. I suppose the walk/conversation in "Before Sunset" is meant to be realistic, so in that sense I can't fault the way Paris is portrayed in the movie. It was funny when Delpy sort of cringed about the boat cruise though, claiming that it's for the tourists.

Ahhh, but then she did appear to enjoy it so much! And of course I was mentally comparing it to the only other bateaux mouche movie scene I've ever seen and that was on Charade.

Ooooh, I did so love the Venice scenes in Everyone Says I Love You. I had never really wanted to see Venice but NOW I know what the fuss is all about. I love how Julia Roberts & Woody Allen describe how Venice is just a jumble of streets. That so intrigues me!!

Oh Beatchick, you need to see Venice, that's for sure. Of course the Allen movie is unrealistic, but the Tintoretto scenes are quite amusing.

I thought that Delpy's lines were better than Hawke's. I wonder if who wrote what (I think that they both wrote some of their dialogue). Also I found it interesting that in real life, Delpy went to NYU film school, so she did live in New York. In some ways, she doesn't strike me as terribly French -- perhaps this has something to do with her spending time in America, and this fits the character very well as well.

Oh, exactly 111op, one of the charms of the movie is that the actors used elements in their own lives to lend credence to the film, i.e. Delpy's turn at NYC and her singing, Hawke's turn at writing & his falling-apart-marriage. They DID write part of the dialogue as well as ad-libbing some of the lines. It's all of these elements that made the film WORK for me!! Well, and also I liked that Delpy seemed awkward and somewhat insecure as that's how I feel when around an old flame, or even around an old friend I haven't seen in a while ~ it made it more real for me.

Maybe some won't like it or understand its charms but that's okay. Vive la difference!!

I can't WAIT to see the first one!

The Tintoretto scenes were lovely/cool but I just loved the jogging scenes through Venice. Please tell me that Venice really is that lovely!!

Beatchick, it's even more lovely. You have to go! IMO, Venice is the most magical place on earth.

Statia!

That's what one of my closest friends was telling me! He LOVES Venice and thinks it's magical just as you say!!

Say, Statia, how many times have you been to Venice?

Hey, Beathchick! We've only been once so far, but already have a trip in the works again.

DH and I renewed our vows there for our 10 year anniversary last summer, and plan to be there again for my birthday next spring.

I agree with your friend. Go, go, go!

Ohhh, you renewed your vows in Venice? That is soooo romantic!!

Happy belated 10th anniversary!!!

Just want to remind everybody that the "Before Sunset" DVD has been released. I received mine today from Amazon.com. And if you purchase both "Sunset" and "Sunrise" before 2/1/05, you can get a $5 mail-in rebate.

If I find anything interesting about the special features, I'll report back.

Loved both films, You girls are hot here.

I just saw Before Sunset last night (netflix), and LOVED it!

Any ideas as to the significance of Ethan Hawke discussing his next book, (i.e. the girlfriend dancing on the hood of the car and, later, his daughter dancing on the kitchen table) as it relates to Julie Delpy dancing in her apartment at the end of the movie?

Just curious if a connection was intended...

My sister and I saw both films this past week while on vacation and we disagreed on which one each of us liked better.

I read in this AM's Boston Globe that the MFA is going to show both films on Tue--6:00pm for 'Sunrise--then Julie Delpy is going to talk and anwer ?s and then at 8:30 they will show 'Sunset--all for a $10 admission fee!! I fear there will be a massive crowd, as there was a few weeks ago when Pedro Almodovar spoke at Harvard!!

We just finished watching Before Sunset.
I think Ethan Hawke looked terrible. Has he been ill? He is sooo thin!
I thought Julie Delpy was great! I loved the Paris scenery, I was bored through a lot of it and I loved the end

I just watched it last night and was completely engrossed, although I kept thinking to myself, "Shouldn't Julie Delpy know about....banding?" I still think her black top with jeans looked very nice.

I agree, Ethan Hawke didn't look healthy.

Didn't she look great in that top though? With that little white jacket and jeans, m_k obviously has not seen this film. We would have heard the shriek~

I bought the DVD and watched it again with my husband. I think it is so awesome. It is so real and complete. And I cannot wait to go to Paris next year!

Yes, Ethan looks dreadful in before Sunset. Too much rock and rolling perhaps or upset over the breakup.

I noticed a couple of members were discussing the cafe in Paris where Jesse and Celine hung out.

Well I just got back from Paris...and YES, the cafe does exist..and it's a lovely place.

Here are some pictures I took while there:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/yazmaziar/lepurecafe.html

ym, I'm impressed. What a good job you did showing the aspects of the cafe.

To ym_toronto--Thank you so much for such great photos!!

ym, those photos are great! Will you e-mail me? I would like to ask you a question regarding them! Thank you for sharing these with us.

Pleased you guys enjoyed the pics ... It was truly a memorable experience

Thanks for the lovely pictures. I am going to save your post so that I can try to find this place in May.

Just want to top this as I'm going to Paris first time since the movie came out. (Last time was just prior to its release in 2004).

Thanks Beatchick again for her description of the locations on this thread as well as the turn-by-turn post and photos she did on virtualtourist.com I found them by a simple Google search.

Also found ym_toronto's photos of Le Pure Cafe by Google search. We fodorites are important!

And for those who've not read this, Le Pure Cafe was also shown on an ER episode a year ago. fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34618337

Btw, rkkwan, there are other Fodorites who have Virtual Tourist pages. You just don't know as they don't link them here.

rkkwan, I'm glad you enjoyed the Before Sunset photos & info I posted. So what exactly did you Google? "Before Sunset"?

I saw the movie, too, not long after my 3rd trip to Paris and it was wonderful watching the walk unfold on the big screen. I kept saying, "ooh, I've been there"! This time I went back to some of those places just to take photos.

I love these movies! We made our decision to visit Vienna a few years ago partly on watching Before Sunrise. I own both movies and watch them all the time.

Tracy

Beatchick - I can't remember the exact search words I used to find your posts, but something like "Before Sunrise Paris Location". I was mostly interested in the Promenade Plantee and the Le Pure Cafe.

One thing though, Jesse and Celine actually boarded the Canauxrama boat right across from the Notre Dame - basically just steps from Shakespeare & CO - and not at the Port de l'Arsenal; and they did disembark at Quay Henry IV. [But the actual dialog scene in the movie is longer than the actual boat ride should be, as they seem to have gone under more than just 2 bridges, as there would be in real life.]

Thank you! I'll update that!!

Beatchick - Have you considered going to Vienna and find all the places in "Before Sunrise"?

Well, hopefully I'll have time to do that next year and I'll report how difficult it would be to cover all those places in one evening. Hahaha.

Came back from my trip to France last night. My "Before Sunset" visits include:

- Having coffee at Le Pure Cafe. It's a very short walk from the Charonne metro stop. It was a beautiful afternoon, and lots of Parisiens having coffees and drinks there. Me and my companions seem to be the only "Before Sunset" tourists. We were all sitting outside to enjoy the weather, and inside they've set the tables for dinner.

- We then walked to the Cour de l'Etoile d'Or. Unfortunately, the door was closed. [Later I saw a resident opened the door, got in, and quickly closed it.] We walked into the alley right to the west of it, and had to make do with that.

- Later in the evening, we did the Vedette de Paris cruise, so that kind of cover what Celine and Jesse did in the movie.

- Finally, after dinner at the Latin Quarter late at night, we stopped by Shakespeare & CO. It was closed, of course, but we could still peek.

Anyways, I'm starting to plan my journey to Vienna now.

rkkwan! I'm so sad to hear that one cannot just stroll into the Cour de l'Etoile d'Or!

But I'm happy to know you had un café at Le Pure Café. I was just doing some research on it last week and it didn't pop up on Les Pages Jaunes so I was worried it had closed.

Have you written a trip report yet or posted any photos?

ciao,
Mary

Mary -

I was videotaping, and my friend who has the camera is still in Europe. (Lucky her), so I have some photos but not of Le Pure. But it is definitely open, and busy.

I didn't write a proper trip report, because I figured many people here have visited the places I went to. Not much new to report. However, I did post a thread about rental car and driving in France here:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34866860

rkkwan, hopefully, you all can post some of your videos on youtube.com that way we can be there, too.

Will read your report. Thanks!

Mary - Just one tiny problem. My narration and conversation between me and my friends were all done in Cantonese. Well, I guess I can add English subtitles.

Or just edit out the audio! After all, we only want to seeeeeee Paris.

Beatchick and others -

I have posted a few photos of me and friends having drinks at Le Pure Cafe:

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p299457843/?photo=858968057