Editing Before Sunset (section)

== Influence ==

=== 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.

=== Philosophical and Cultural Influence ===
The film’s dialogue-driven narrative engages deeply with existential themes, exploring concepts such as choice, regret, and the fleeting nature of happiness. Jesse and Céline openly discuss their life's missed opportunities, and scholars suggest that their conversations illustrate existential themes reminiscent of Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy, particularly regarding the struggle between idealistic desires and practical responsibilities.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last=Xavier |first=Zachary |year=2021 |title=The Kierkegaardian Existentialism of Richard Linklater's ''Before'' Trilogy |url=https://doi.org/10.3366/film.2021.0164 |journal=Film-Philosophy |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=110–129 |doi=10.3366/film.2021.0164 |access-date=March 9, 2025|doi-access=free }}</ref> The film's open-ended conclusion further reinforces its existential themes, inviting viewers to reflect on choices, fate, and life's unpredictability.

The dialogues between Jesse and Céline often delve into existential questions, blending ordinary conversation with philosophical reflection. Scholars have highlighted how the trilogy, particularly ''Before Sunset'', explores melancholy, regret, and the passage of time in a subtle yet profound way, inviting viewers to engage personally with its philosophical themes.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal |last=Tőke |first=Lilla |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Review: ''Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight: A Philosophical Exploration'' |url=https://www.jprstudies.org/2024/05/review-before-sunrise-before-sunset-before-midnight-a-philosophical-exploration-ed-by-hans-maes-and-katrien-schaubroeck/ |journal=Journal of Popular Romance Studies |volume=13 |access-date=March 9, 2025}}</ref>

=== Realism in Acting and Dialogue ===
The naturalistic performances by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Richard Linklater, have been praised for their authenticity and spontaneous quality. The actors’ collaborative approach to developing dialogue has influenced how performances can blur the line between fiction and reality, making conversations feel organic and genuine.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan Alexander |year=2022 |title=Realism in Richard Linklater's 'Before' Trilogy |url=https://film-cred.com/before-trilogy-ethan-hawke-julie-delpy-richard-linklater/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Film Cred}}</ref>

This naturalism and authenticity extend to performance style, characterized by subtle gestures, realistic interruptions, and emotional nuances. Film critics and academics have often linked Linklater's approach to that of European filmmakers, notably Éric Rohmer, whose films similarly prioritize natural dialogue and everyday realism.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |last=Romney |first=Jonathan |year=2013 |title=Eric Rohmer's influence on 2013 film, from ''Before Midnight'' to ''Frances Ha'' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/11/eric-rohmer-influence-before-midnight |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>