"Can the greatest romance of your life last only one night?"
Before Sunrise - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I believe if there's any kind of God it wouldn't be in any of us, not you or me but just this little space in between. If there's any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something.
— Céline
Context:
Céline says this to Jesse as they are sitting in a quiet alleyway, reflecting on the nature of their connection and the night they've shared. It's a moment of pure, philosophical intimacy where they try to define the intangible bond that has formed between them.
Meaning:
This quote encapsulates the film's central theme: that the most profound and almost spiritual experiences in life are found in the act of connecting with another person. It suggests that magic isn't an external force, but something created in the shared understanding and vulnerability between two people. The meaning lies not in succeeding, but in the effort—the "attempt"—itself.
Isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?
— Céline
Context:
This line is spoken during one of their many meandering conversations as they walk through Vienna. Céline is discussing the societal pressures on women to be strong and independent, while also admitting her own deep-seated need for love and connection, framing it as a universal human trait.
Meaning:
This question touches upon a fundamental human motivation. Céline cuts through layers of cynicism and intellectual posturing to suggest that, at its core, the human drive—for success, for knowledge, for experience—is rooted in a simple, universal desire for love and acceptance.
I think I can really fall in love when I know everything about someone—the way he's going to part his hair, which shirt he's going to wear that day, knowing the exact story he'd tell in a given situation. I'm sure that's when I know I'm really in love.
— Céline
Context:
Near the end of their night, as they lie together in a park, Céline revisits a topic Jesse brought up hours earlier about how couples grow to hate each other's mannerisms. She offers her completely opposite, more romantic viewpoint, showcasing her underlying optimism about love.
Meaning:
This is Céline's direct rebuttal to Jesse's earlier cynical idea that familiarity breeds contempt in relationships. For her, true love isn't found in the initial spark or mystery, but in the deep comfort and profound intimacy of knowing someone completely. It's a beautifully idealistic and mature perspective on long-term love.
Think of this as time travel, from then to now, to find out what you're missing out on.
— Jesse
Context:
Jesse uses this imaginative pitch on the train to convince a hesitant Céline to get off with him in Vienna. He paints a picture of her as an older, married woman wondering about the paths not taken, and presents himself as a chance for her future self to satisfy that curiosity.
Meaning:
This is Jesse's clever and romantic proposition that frames their potential encounter not as a risky, impulsive act, but as a harmless exploration of a possible future. It's a persuasive fantasy that speaks to the universal question of "what if?" and gives them permission to step outside of reality for one night.