What if you had a second chance with the one that got away?|Feb. 10, 2004|United States | France|80 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: Nine years after their initial meeting in Vienna, Jesse writes a bestselling novel titled *This Time*, inspired by his time with Céline. While on a book tour in Europe, he holds a reading at Shakespeare and Company, where he is interviewed by journalists with differing opinions about the novel’s conclusion—whether the characters reunite or not. Unbeknownst to him, Céline attends the event.
With only an hour before Jesse must leave for the airport, the two spend time wandering through Paris. Their conversations quickly turn personal as they discuss their careers, politics, and their regret over not exchanging contact details or meeting again in Vienna. Céline explains she couldn’t return because her grandmother passed away, while Jesse admits he did go back but didn’t find her.
They reflect on how their lives have changed over the past nine years: Jesse is now married with a son named Hank, and Céline is an environmental activist in a relationship with a photojournalist. Despite their current situations, both express dissatisfaction with their lives, and their past romantic feelings begin to resurface. Jesse reveals his novel was written in hopes of reconnecting with Céline, and she admits that reading it brought back painful memories.
As they arrive at Céline’s apartment, Jesse insists on staying despite the risk of missing his flight. Céline plays a waltz on her guitar, inspired by their encounter in Vienna, while Jesse plays Nina Simone’s *Just in Time* on her stereo. Céline dances to the song as Jesse watches, both acknowledging that he will likely miss his flight.
Cast director: Richard Linklater
Cast actor: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff, Louise Lemoine Torrès, Rodolphe Pauly, Mariane Plasteig, Diabolo, Denis Evrard, Albert Delpy, Marie Pillet
Original name: Before Sunset