I first heard about Richard Linklater’s 1995 film Before Sunrise through the enthusiastic recommendations of Karen Obispo and Russell Gutierrez. At the time, I was an active member of Singles for Christ in Hong Kong, and conversations about meaningful films were a regular part of our fellowship. This blog post isn’t a formal review—it’s more of a personal appreciation of a film that left a quiet but lasting mark on me.
After several hit-and-miss attempts to find a bootleg copy in Mong Kok, I finally gave up and bought the real thing: an expensive but genuine DVD from HMV. Back then, HMV was still a landmark in Central—a long-standing neighbour of Marks & Spencer in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong. CDs were everywhere, Spotify was still a newborn idea, and streaming music was years away. Buying a DVD felt like a small luxury.
So, after finishing my Saturday errands, I settled in to watch the movie. And it made an impression on me that I still remember.
Before Sunrise captivated me with its simplicity. There are no explosions, no dramatic twists—just two strangers talking. Yet the dialogue becomes an auditory feast for anyone willing to listen closely. Long before smartphones stole our attention and memes flattened our sense of humour, this film explored the depth of human connection with nothing more than conversation.
The story follows Jesse (Ethan Hawke), an American tourist, and Céline (Julie Delpy), a French student, who meet on a train from Budapest to Vienna. On a whim, they decide to spend one night wandering the city together.
When you travel alone, you’re more open to these chance encounters. You look up, you notice people, you talk. I remember befriending a girl on a Super Ferry trip to Davao—pretending to be her companion to keep a stalker away after my failed job interview in Manila. On a Rural Transit bus from Cagayan de Oro to Davao, I met Donabelle, a pharmacy student from Southwestern University who lived in Bukidnon. These were brief encounters, just like Jesse and Céline’s, but they embodied the idea that a stranger is simply a friend you haven’t met yet.
That’s the magic of the film: it captures the fragile, fleeting beauty of a connection between two strangers. The dialogue is its beating heart, and Hawke and Delpy deliver it with such authenticity that you feel like you’re eavesdropping on something real.
How does one even start a conversation like that—much less convince someone to abandon their plans and spend the night exploring a foreign city? I’m not great at this myself, but I imagine it begins with a simple hello, a warm smile, and a non-threatening presence. Linklater himself was inspired by a real encounter with a young woman in a toy shop, and you can feel that sincerity in Jesse’s lines.
The film explores love, life, and the ephemeral nature of time. It raises questions about fate, choices, and the consequences of brief encounters. And because it avoids a typical Hollywood ending, it feels more honest—leaving viewers with a bittersweet nostalgia that lingers.
As Jesse and Céline step off the train at Westbahnhof and begin their walk through Vienna, their conversation weaves through themes that are both thoughtful and universally relatable.
Table of Contents
Life and death
They discuss what happens after we die, the possibility of reincarnation, and their personal brushes with mortality. Jesse recalls the first time he learned about death and the strange vision of his great-grandmother in the sky. Céline admits she fears death deeply—so much so that she chose to take the train instead of flying.
Love and relationships
When Céline asks Jesse if he knows anyone in a truly happy relationship, he says yes—but believes most couples lie to each other. Céline agrees and shares a heartbreaking confession from her grandmother:
“My grandmother was married to this man, and I always thought she had a very simple, uncomplicated love life. But she just confessed to me that she spent her whole life dreaming about another man she was always in love with. She just accepted her fate. It’s so sad.”
Travel and exploration
They talk about the joy of travel—how it lets people escape routine and see the world with fresh eyes. Jesse persuades Céline to get off the train by appealing to her boredom and offering something “crazy, wonderful, irresponsible.” She steps off, and in that moment, travel becomes a metaphor for embracing the unknown.
The importance of time and present moment
Jesse reflects on the brevity of life and the value of being fully present, especially when a meaningful connection appears unexpectedly.
“It’s about living in the present, man. Every minute you spend thinking about the past or the future is lost.”
Philosophy and beliefs
They debate whether life is predetermined or shaped by choice. Jesse leans toward scepticism; Céline believes in small but significant choices. A palm-reading scene highlights their opposing views:
Jesse: “You know, sometimes I think everything’s already decided. Every move we make has already been made before.”
Céline: “No, I don’t believe that. I think we have choices. Maybe not big ones, but enough to make a difference.”
Linklater’s decision to tell the story in real time adds to its realism. Vienna becomes a silent third character—its streets, cafés, and quiet corners framing the fragile bond forming between Jesse and Céline. The film would later become the first in a trilogy, followed by Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013).
Their time together lasts less than 24 hours, but it’s filled with intimate moments and small revelations. The film unfolds through conversations in trains, taxis, bars, sidewalks, and a grassy field under a summer sky. It’s undeniably low-budget, but when the dialogue is this rich, you barely notice the passing of time. The story ends before Céline reaches Paris or Jesse boards his flight out of Vienna.
This movie also inspired me to choose Vienna as the first European city I ever visited.
In the end, Before Sunrise remains a timeless masterpiece. Its meditation on brief connections, the fragility of time, and the beauty of being fully present makes it unforgettable. Linklater’s direction, paired with Hawke and Delpy’s remarkable performances, creates an experience that stays with you long after the credits fade. It’s a celebration of human connection and the quiet moments that shape our lives.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a long, meaningful conversation over coffee—or maybe during a walk. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Hello REM! Nice blog.
Somebody suggested that I watch that movie & after reading your blog, maybe like 90% from a mere 10% probability, I will watch it.
Don't worry, Im sure there's definitely more than just a handful of movies "na may laman". But the entertainment, specifically the movie industry i believe is at it's low right now. Evidence? Look at all the comic-to-movie we have been getting lately? And us good people complaining about it. ;o)