The 'Before Sunset' Sequel That Won't Be Made

Gah, torment.

There is such a wonderful chemistry in these films. I think so much about what appeals to me in both Before Sun* films, is the very realistic dialog. What is conveyed as esentially realtime conversation has warmth and richness usually glossed over in most productions. For the audiance, it pays out to watch these two struggle through their exchanges as they explore one another. You have incredible depth of character seldom revelaed in such scrutinizing detail. You feel attached to these characters as people, and thus the lasting appeal of the films.

Life never finishes with a neat little bow, so on one hand I'd completely understand if the trio never explore this path again. On the other hand, there's such a strong connection you feel with the characters, that you really miss them when the credits roll.

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Bummer :(

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With the exception of The Abyss, these are my favourite films of all time. And as much as i'd love to see them revisit the story, i'm perfectly happy with the way it was left.

Those three certainly have to work together again though. I don't care what the project is, surely good would come from it.

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While Before Sunrise was one of the best films of the 1990s, Before Sunset is a masterpiece and is still I think easily the best film this decade and leaves every other film so far behind, it's not funny.

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Is anyone really hankering for a sequel? As Ryan suggested, the satisfaction that came from these films stemmed from the brilliant characterization, and the connection with those characters... not the idea that things would be tied up in a neat little bow. Otherwise, the end of Before Sunset would have been an incredible disappointment. Plus... do we really want to see these two in a relationship? Relationships are boring compared to the intense getting-to-know-you excitement of courtship that we got to enjoy in these two films.

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I just watched both movies back to back, and I think I know where they could have gone with it. If you watch Before Sunrise, in the early part of the film, Jessie basically describes what's going to happen in the movie. He describes an Ed or Truman Show like television show, and the first movie sort of plays into that.

Before Sunset follows a lot of the same structure in Before Sunrise. There are hints about something else that is never shown though. At the book signing, Jesse talks about his book in a pop song. He sees his "daughter" get up on a table and dance and he is transported back to when he was 16, etc. It doesn't fit with either films structureally, but it provides continuity because they are based on books that Jesse has written about his experiences...

While Celine and Jesse are leaving the book shop, Jesse also talks about alternate endings of "This Time," where the protaganist of the story meets up with the girl, they make love for 10 days straight, the French Slut ending, they get to know each other better and realize that they don't get along at all. Celine comments that she likes that better and that it is more real.

The possibilty that I see, is that Celine and Jesse meet up again a few weeks later. They have a passionate time. During this excursion, certain events with Celine set him off; based on previous statements he might flash back to a moment with his son, etc. Heck, it ends with Celine dancing, much like was foreshadowed in the book shop. Ultimately, the luster wears off after a few (10) days... maybe hours to keep the film more in line with the previous two, and they realize they don't get along with each other as much as they think they do. There are hints about this in both movies. Whenever they start getting into heated arguments, one of them, usually Jesse finds a way to make a joke, and they brush it off, or he at least finds a way to defuse the situation.

I don't know if this is what they were thinking, but for a film that takes place 2 weeks later, it fits. I had always wanted them to get back together, but in context, this feels more realistic and more closely matches what is written into the subtext.

The more I think about it, the less likely they will create a third movie. Meeting again 20 years later feels forced. It leaves too much unspoken. If Jesse missed his plane and he stayed in France an extra day, why are they just crossing paths again another 10 years later. There's just enough to the story to really sink your teeth into and it leaves much to the viewer to fully appreciate and realize on their own. Something that takes place a couple of weeks later might not feel forced and still capture the arc, but I can see where there is an element of timeliness.

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I just watched Before Sunset again. I would like a sequel. I just liked the storyline. I hope the trio would consider a third movie. Just so we know what happened. Life is so uncertain it would be nice to see what happened in this story.
I loved the movies

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This film was such a class act, it is only that I loved it so much that I feel so let down that we have to wait. Regardless I will always hold these films in the highest regards.

Always back to back to maybe a third would be too much! lol

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