Before Sunrise

Two strangers strike up a connection on a long train ride, and when their wagon stops in Vienna they decide to step off together to keep talking. What begins as a chance encounter becomes a night of wandering through the city, sharing stories, thoughts, and small dreams. They explore love, memory, and what makes life feel meaningful, while a gentle intimacy grows between them. The evening unfolds in real time, with candid conversation and an easy rapport that hints at something lasting even if the moment is fleeting. They drift through streets, cafes, and riverfront paths as the city slows around them, letting fate feel personal. The camera stays close, letting every glance carry meaning and every breath suggest possibilities.

Released in 1995, the film was directed by Richard Linklater with a screenplay by Linklater and Kim Krizan. An original work, it follows Jesse and Celine, strangers whose night unfolds through intimate dialogue rather than action, starring Hawke and Delpy.

The movie is celebrated for its spontaneous dialogue and naturalistic pace, capturing the electricity of a night time encounter. It helped popularize intimate, talk driven romance and influenced a generation of independent films and performances prized for authenticity and quiet honesty. Actors studied pauses and small expressions to convey connection.

Reception & themes: Critics praised the film's razor sharp exchanges and the way it treats a single night as a doorway to self discovery and connection. The story foregrounds choice, possibility, and the tension between probability and longing. It resonates with viewers who have chased chance encounters.

Box office data not included in the provided information. The film is known for its critical acclaim and modest earnings relative to its cost, reflecting its status as a quietly influential indie romance. It remains best known for the conversations that unfold on screen.