Film
monologue
Romance
2 Characters

Celine's Love Theory

from Before Sunrise

Written by Richard Linklater, Kim Krizan

Celine reflects on her perspective of long-term intimacy, countering Jesse's earlier cynicism about couples growing to hate each other. She expresses a deep desire for the comfort of knowing a partner's every habit, framing true love as the ultimate familiarity rather than a loss of mystery.

Start a free 7-day trial — 5 downloads a day, unlimited when Pro begins

Scene PreviewExcerpt — subscribe to read full scene

CELINE

When you talked earlier about after a few years how a couple would begin to hate each other by anticipating their reactions or getting tired of their mannerisms, I think it would be the opposite with me. I think I can fall in love when I know everything about him - how he’s going to part his hair, or what shirt he’s going to wear that day, knowing…

Full scene locked

Keep reading Celine's Love Theory — free for 7 days

Unlock the full scene, plus 1,000+ more & every Pro tool, instantly

Start free trial

No charge for 7 days · cancel anytime

7 days freeLocked preview

Unlock this scene + 1,000+ more — free for 7 days

Start your free trial and read Celine's Love Theory in full right now — plus every Pro tool, instantly.

  • The full script for Celine's Love Theory
  • 1,000+ monologues & scenes — the whole library
  • Director's Notes on every scene
  • Instant PDF downloads, formatted for the room
  • Practice Mode — teleprompter & self-tape recording
  • Headshot Analyser, Cover Letter Generator & more
Start my 7-day free trial

Then £6.99/month · Cancel anytime · or sign up free to keep browsing

Casting Types

Director's Notes

🎯 Character objectives🎭 Emotional beats💡 Audition tips
Unlock Director's Notes — 7 days free
Get Feedback
Coming Soon

Want expert coaching on this scene?

Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.

Find a Coach

Need representation?

Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.

Scene Notes & Audition Tips

5 sections
About This Scene

This monologue, featuring Celine from *Before Sunrise*, offers a tender and philosophical insight into a young woman's perspective on enduring love. Speaking to Jesse, she articulates a deep-seated belief about intimacy, challenging his previously expressed cynicism. Celine frames love not as a fading mystery, but as a profound comfort found in absolute familiarity, revealing a vulnerable yet hopeful outlook on long-term relationships.

Character Analysis

Celine is presented as a young, introspective woman with a sophisticated understanding of human connection. Her vulnerability in this moment stems from her willingness to openly discuss her intimate hopes and desires, contrasting with a more jaded viewpoint. She embodies the "girl next door" archetype through her relatable yearning for connection, yet also projects an "ingenue" quality with her fresh perspective on love, making her both approachable and subtly profound.

Why This Works for Auditions

This monologue is excellent for auditions because it showcases an actor’s ability to

convey nuanced emotion and intellectual depth within a concise timeframe. Its internal reflection combined with outward address to Jesse allows for a dynamic performance, demonstrating both vulnerability and conviction. The piece is rich with subtext, offering ample opportunity for an actor to explore character motivation and emotional arc without relying on external dramatic events.

Best Suited For

This scene is particularly well-suited for actors aged 18-25 who are looking for material to highlight genuine vulnerability and romantic depth. It's an ideal choice for drama school auditions, agent showcases, or self-tapes where portraying an "ingenue" or "romantic lead" with intelligence and emotional honesty is key. Actors comfortable with subtle, introspective work, rather than overt dramatics, will shine with this piece.

Performance Tips

When approaching this monologue, focus on Celine's quiet conviction and the gentle earnestness behind her words. She isn't arguing; she's revealing a deeply held personal truth. Pay close attention to the rhythm and flow of her thoughts, allowing her philosophical leanings to surface organically through her delivery. Emphasize the sense of wonder and comfort she finds in the idea of complete intimacy, using subtle facial expressions and vocal quality to convey her hopeful yet vulnerable state.

CharactersCeline, Jesse
Duration1 min
Age Range18-25
GenderFemale
GenreRomance
PeriodContemporary
Formatmonologue
SourceBefore Sunrise
Tonevulnerable
AccentFrench
Suitable Fordrama school audition, agent showcase, self tape, general practice
No ratings yet
Sign in to rate
My Notes Pro

Explore this topic