I actually saw Before Sunrise right around the time that this film was released, so it was a very difficult temptation to not watch this sequel immediately. A key "plot" point is the nine-year gap between the two movies, especially a lot of personal lives (both real and fictional) were written into the movie by Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke themselves. OK now it's not quite nine years, but five is long enough.. This is one real and charming movie. The charming part needs to be emphasizes; realism and charm don't seem to mix in movies. The movie construction is amazingly simple, going from an interview at a book signing, walking to a cafe, joining a boat tour, and taking a limousine ride to Delpy's (real) apartment. I was also shocked at how quickly I was able to relate to the first movie, despite making no attempt to remember it. Their meeting after the nine-year gap was surprisingly understated. Brilliant writing there. It was shown as a reunion like two old friends. All the awkwardness and bitterness were gradually revealed through the conversation, which even built up a sense of suspense. I could watch (or listen!) this movie for hours more, and some have commented that this movie should have been twice as long. Alas, perfection has its cost, and this will do for me just fine.
