Editing Before Sunset (section)

=== Real-time Storytelling and Cinematic Style ===
''Before Sunset'' has significantly influenced filmmaking through its distinctive use of real-time storytelling. The film's narrative unfolds over approximately eighty minutes, matching the real time experienced by its characters, Jesse and Céline. This narrative technique has been praised for heightening the sense of realism and immediacy, making audiences feel as if they are experiencing events simultaneously with the characters.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last=Wartenberg |first=Thomas |year=2004 |title=Before Sunset |url=https://philosophynow.org/issues/48/Before_Sunset |journal=Philosophy Now |issue=48 |access-date=2024-03-09}}</ref> Film critic Dennis Lim notes that the long takes and continuous, flowing dialogue create an illusion of spontaneity, making interactions feel natural and unscripted.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Lim |first=Dennis |year=2016 |title=The Before Trilogy: Time Regained |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4366-the-before-trilogy-time-regained |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=The Criterion Collection}}</ref> This technique has inspired other filmmakers seeking authenticity and realism, particularly in independent cinema.