Nine years have passed since Jesse and Céline met on a train and spent a single night together in Vienna. Since then, Jesse has written a novel, "This Time", inspired by his encounter with Céline, and the book has become a bestseller in the United States. He has returned to Europe to promote the book and the last stop on his tour is at the Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris. As Jesse talks with his audience, we see in flashbacks his memories of their night in Vienna which have clearly remained with him throughout the ensuing years.
Three journalists are present at the bookstore, interviewing Jesse: a romantic who is convinced the book's main characters meet again; a cynic who is convinced that they don't; and a third one who, despite wanting them to meet again, remains doubtful they actually do. As Jesse speaks with his audience his eyes wander towards the window and to his utter surprise he sees Céline standing there, smiling at him.
When the presentation is over, the bookstore manager reminds him he has a plane to catch and must leave for the airport in a little more than an hour, so as with the first meeting, Céline and Jesse's reunion is constrained by time. Again they are forced to make the best of the little time they have together, and their conversations become ever more personal, beginning with the usual themes of work and politics and then, with ever increasing passion, approaching their love for each other, just as their time together is running out. Earlier in their conversation, they broach the subject of why they did not meet as promised six months after their first encounter. Jesse had returned to Vienna, as promised, but Céline did not, because her grandmother had died suddenly and the funeral took place on the date set for their meeting. Because they had never exchanged addresses, they were unable to contact each other, which resulted in their missed connection.
As they talk, each reveals what has happened in their life since first meeting. Both are now in their early thirties. Jesse, now a writer, is married and has a son. Céline works for an international environmental agency, lived in New York for a time, and has a boyfriend who is a photojournalist. It becomes clear in the course of their conversation that both are dissatisfied to varying degrees with their lives. Jesse reveals that he only stays with his wife out of love for his son. Céline says that she does not see her boyfriend very much because he is so often on assignment. Their conversation as they traverse Paris takes place in various venues, including a café, a garden, a bateau mouche, and Jesse's hired car for his stay in Paris. Their old feelings for each other are slowly rekindled, even with moments of tension and regret over the missed meeting, as they realise that nothing else in their lives has matched their one prior night together in Vienna. Jesse eventually admits that he wrote the book in the distant hope of meeting Céline again one day. She replies that the book brought back painful memories for her.
As their time together draws to a close they arrive at her apartment. Earlier Céline had told Jesse that she plays the guitar and he persuades her to play one song before he has to leave. The song Céline sings for him is about their brief encounter nine years ago and reveals through the lyrics that he is still the only one she loves. Jesse then plays a Nina Simone CD on the stereo system. Céline dances by herself to the song "Just in Time" as Jesse watches her. As Céline imitates Simone, she mutters to Jesse, "Baby ... you are gonna miss that plane". Jesse smiles whilst nervously fidgeting with his wedding ring and ambiguously responds, "I know", leaving us to decide whether or not he stays this time.
Jesse and Céline are characters of real life, effected by their decisions good or bad, making compromises, sometimes insecure, a little scarred, but still holding on to memories and dreams of perfect moments. She had a different life after the encounter than he did. While he still longs for Céline in his heart, he did move on. She longs for Jesse in her heart, and to this day cannot find anyone to replace his purity. But now there is more at stake, for they are nine years older, have made their share of mistakes, feel imprisoned by responsibilities, and must confront their shortcomings and problems. Whilst they are still on a journey they are no longer certain that their destination is the right one – they are unsure whether they can change direction, or even if they should, but afraid of what will happen if they don't. Where Sunrise captured the immediacy and urgency of perfect youthful love, Sunset reflects beautifully on the aftermath of that perfection.
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