Viewed in
2013
Formats
Movie theater.
Premise
We revisit Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy nine years later, where we find them together with children in Europe.
Loved
Pretty much everything.
Hated
That I'll have to wait another nine years to see the next chapter.
Thoughts
I adore this film series (it sounds too unartistic to call it franchise). It's been a long time since I've seen Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, but this one might be my favorite. Also, I might've missed some poignant shout outs to the first two films.
Much in the vein of the previous titles, it's mumblecore-like, but infinitely better because of character, themes, and execution. Every conversation/argument either pushed their relationship, revealed character, or explored the theme of love's impermanence. Sometimes it would do all three in intriguing ways.
Because what the couple talked about was full of truth and thought, the elongated one-take conversations transcended from gimmick to brilliance. Director Richard Linklater and crew's technical execution was marvelous, creating a stimulating, intimate window into Hawke and Delpy's chemistry as they flirt, bicker, reminisce, cross-examine, and push each other.
My favorite scene was the drive back from the airport. It deftly gave the audience backstory, set up complications, peeled layers off the leads, and delivered gut-busting parental slice-of-life as they argued whether to turn back around to a missed tourist stop because their daughters were napping.
Another fantastic part was the dinner scene with friends, as couples of different generations opened up about their various stages of romance in funny and heart-breaking ways.
But it's all about the hotel scene. First off, it's inspiring to watch a 40-ish woman in a non-Hollywood physique baring her body and soul to serve the story. What a lovely actress. But the true magic of the hotel scene was how genuine, honest, hilarious, painful, and hypnotizing it was to watch two flawed lovers fight. I've never been in a complicated-enough relationship to truly relate, but it sure felt like the real thing, as momentum shifted back-and-forth and unabated emotions crashed like a tidal waves. That moment as Hawke poured win. Oof.
While not for everyone, Before Midnight was brilliant. Thought-provoking, heart-tugging, and technically sublime. I wished I could time-jump nine years so I could see what was in store for these unforgettable characters in the next stage of their lives. It's a clear frontrunner for my favorite movie of the 2013.
