Before Sunrise

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1:39

Before Sunrise

R

1995

1h 41m

Romance

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

On his way to Vienna, American Jesse meets Celine, a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning, and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice.

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Critics Consensus

Thought-provoking and beautifully filmed, Before Sunrise is an intelligent, unabashedly romantic look at modern love, led by marvelously natural performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.

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John Wrathall

Sight & Sound

Nov 6

This is where the film’s charm lies, in the balance Linklater strikes between poetry and the everyday.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

01/31/2025

5/5

It is the lightness of this film which is still charming; Jesse and Céline are free from everything, free from work worries or family cares, but they are also free from the gravity of cause-and-effect, the world of consequences and responsibilities.

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

07/18/2022

The charm—the midsummer enchantment—never feels forced; it steals up and wins you. A true romance.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

08/20/2024

A+

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are incredible in this film. The chemistry they have in palpable and the energy is always flowing...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

03/19/2024

3/4

Utterly charming.

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

12/05/2023

10/10

One of the truly great American films of the 1990s.

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Tyler S.

@tmanstro May 25

Makes you remember the beauty of our early 20s years when we had no responsibilities.

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Remi B

@RT80250094 May 16

they really don't make movies like this anymore.

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Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Apr 30

What a great start to this trilogy. A simple story about two strangers who meet and instantly connect. The dialogue was beautifully written and delivered by two tremendous actors. Tim Treakle

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Clare P

@RT36768808 Mar 28

The movie that I recommend you to watch if you miss having a real-life meaningful conversation with a human being. This movie brought out the extroverted version of me! Absolutely love it!

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Jaisibi S

@RT14436527 Mar 28

Before Sunrise is a simple romantic story that focuses on two strangers connecting through conversations. The plot is minimal, but the film feels real because of its natural dialogue and relatable moments. The pacing is extremely slow and requires full attention to stay engaged. The acting is great, with both leads delivering natural and believable performances. The music is average and does not stand out much. The ending is feel-good with a slight cliffhanger, leaving you thinking about what happens next. Overall, Before Sunrise is a good film to watch occasionally when you are in the mood for something calm and thoughtful.

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Alexsander F

@Aelxs Mar 14

Perfect! Beautiful and sublime! Perfeito! Belo e sublime! "When routine bites hard And ambitions are low And resentment rides high But emotions won't grow And we're changing our ways Taking different roads Then love, love will tear us apart, again Love, love will tear us apart, again..." —Joy Division

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Richard Linklater

Director

Ethan Hawke

Jesse

Julie Delpy

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Before Sunrise: Trailer 1

1:39

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Synopsis

On his way to Vienna, American Jesse meets Celine, a student returning to Paris. After long conversations forge a surprising connection between them, Jesse convinces Celine to get off the train with him in Vienna. Since his flight to the U.S. departs the next morning, and he has no money for lodging, they wander the city together, taking in the experiences of Vienna and each other. As the night progresses, their bond makes separating in the morning a difficult choice.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Anne Walker-McBay
Screenwriter: Kim Krizan
Production Co: Detour Filmproduction, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.7M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround