A main focus of director, Richard Linklater is how time passes. His first films that focused on this are The Before Trilogy.
Before Sunrise released in 1995 tells the story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), who meet on a train to Vienna and wander the streets until Jesse’s flight the next morning.
Then in 2004, the sequel Before Sunset came out. This is set 9 years later where Jesse and Celine meet up after being apart this whole time. Again, they just walk about talking about life but this time in Paris.
Finally, after 9 years in 2013 the final film in the trilogy is released, Before Midnight. They are now together as a couple, with children, and this film focus’ on them reflecting on their lives.
The titles of films obviously are each part of a day, this represents how short life is when you really think about it.
Each film is set in a single day and gives a look into their lives at that certain point. It starts in the first film, as they are young with no real responsibilities in life. Then in the second film Jesse is an established author and both of them are in separate relationships. And to conclude the trilogy Jesse and Celine are together and as mentioned before, with children.
These films are a study of time and just shows how life can change and develop. Even though all the films are really just the characters talking, it pulls you in and gets you invested into where the character will be after 9 years each time.
The Before Trilogy set Linklater up for Boyhood, which was a single film shot over 12 years and takes elements from the trilogy and expands on them.
Film By Euan 