Before Midnight is the third movie following the relationship of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). The first two movies, Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), featured director Richard Linklater’s patented shooting style with long, uninterrupted scenes full of dialogue. In fact, if you’re not ready for movies where most of the film (about 90%) is dialogue, it comes as a shock. Whether you’re going to enjoy these movies depends a lot on whether you like the characters. Jesse is a writer with some narcissistic tendencies. Celine is a beautiful but moody French woman. As you might suspect, Jesse and Celine’s relationship has plenty of ups and downs. Spacing these movies about seven years apart allows for the audience to see the arc of the characters’ relationships. I found watching the latest installment, Before Midnight, like getting together with some old friends. However, [SPOILER ALERT!] if I were in bed with a half-naked woman (like Ethan Hawke is) I would NEVER start an argument and piss her off! [END OF SPOILER ALERT]. GRADE: B+
I loved it.
Patti, I loved the first movie , BEFORE SUNRISE, best.
Not an Ethan Hawke fan. I find his smug narcissism extremely off-putting.
Jeff, Ethan Hawke’s smugness is perfect for this role as a writer. These movies are worth a look.
I liked SUNSET better than SUNRISE, and expect I’ll enjoy this one as well…that’s not too much of a spoiler, there, George. But you foil my weekly gathering with all these in-theaters releases!
Sorry, Todd. Next Tuesday I’ll have a posting of BORGEN 2 for you!
Never heard of them.
Bob, the best pick-up line I’ve ever heard is in BEFORE SUNRISE. Worth a look!
I’m way beyond the point in my life where I need pickup lines, but thanks anyway.