Before Midnight [DVD]

Let's first get two things out of the way. If you've seen BEFORE SUNRISE and/or BEFORE SUNSET and disliked them...there is no reason to give BEFORE MIDNIGHT a try. And if you haven't seen those movies at all, I HIGHLY recommend you do prior to checking out Richard Linklater's latest near classic.I should also warn that even the most cursory mention of plot points in either the 2ndor the 3rdmovie can be construed as spoilers...but it's tough to talk about the 3rdfilm without giving away some surprise. I'll balance as best I can.In BEFORE SUNRISE, young American Jesse (Ethan Hawke), age about 23 meets young Frenchwoman Celine (Julie Delpy), age about 23. They are on a train bound for Vienna. Jesse is flying back to the US from Vienna the morning after the train arrives. Celine is on her way back to Paris after visiting family in Budapest. They strike up a conversation and clearly hit it off right away. Jesse asks Celine to get off the train with him and spend the night wandering Vienna before he has to leave Europe. The movie follows their ambling through Vienna and just lets them talk. And talk. And talk. And fall in love. For the right viewer, this was a nearly magical film that beautiful captured, through long, semi-improvised takes, the joy of two people getting to know each other and come to appreciate and even love each other. We felt like we were right there with them, and the two stars gave terrific performances. At the end, they agree they will meet again in 6 months, and we're left to wonder what happened to them.BEFORE SUNSET tells us (spoilers coming up). It's nine years later, and Jesse is in Paris speaking about his new book, which is clearly a retelling of that night in Vienna. Celine seeks him out and we quickly discover they did NOT meet (I won't spoil why). Jesse has just an hour before he needs to leave for the airport, and he and Celine pick up their easy conversation and share about their lives, including the regrets and unhappinesses they've had. It's clear they are meant to be together...their affection blooms almost immediately. New to the equation are some minor quarrels (why didn't you come? If only you hadn't..., etc.). But in the end, Jesse is deciding to miss his flight so he can delight in being in Celine's apartment, drinking tea, listening to her sing. The final scene of the movie is one of heartbreaking simplicity and yet such complex emotion.Now, another 9 years later, the two are each around 41 years old. SPOILERS AHEAD. They have been together since that time in Paris. They've had a sometimes rocky road, and this movie is more talking...this time in lovely Greece. They have kids. They aren't "new" to each other anymore as they were in the first 2 films. They are now capable of getting on each other's nerves. They haven't always just made each other happy. And near the end of the film, they engage in what I can only describe as the most brutal husband and wife argument since George and Martha got into it in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. There's no violence, but it's a rough scene. Raw and searing. Funny. Truthful. Utterly gripping.In real life, were I to spend much time with either of these two...I think I'd seriously dislike them. They are self-centered, pretentiously "artsy" and VERY vocal. I don't think I'd want to sit and listen to them talk all day. But this is a film, and Linklater and his stars (who have co-writing credit) can take us to just the right moments. The conversations (and snatches of conversation) that tell us all we need to know about the last nine years. It's an amazing film. It's illuminating and full of so many truths. They may not always be truths I can personally relate to...but they feel true and possible and real. After the film, you talk about Jesse and Celine as though they were real people. More than just about any other movie ever, I think. Their dialogue is so specific and so revealing. Yes, these folks are more articulate than any "real" people...but we don't really want to see normal, sloppy conversation. It's enjoyable to spend some time with these folks (although, again, I wouldn't like them in "real life") because they react to each other so believably. Their words mirror their actions and their expressions. Delpy and Hawke (who I'm not normally a huge fan of) have chemistry that's astonishing...you really feel you're peeking in on something you aren't meant to see and hear.All three films include gorgeous scenery, and BEFORE MIDNIGHT is the most gorgeous of all. The Greek countryside and seaside is lovely, and Linklater just lets his camera take it in casually. Jesse & Celine comment on it sometimes, but mostly it just flows over us. And the film is mostly a series of very long takes (the scene near the opening when they are driving from the airport back to the house they're staying at is at least 15 minutes long, and seen entirely through a front windshield...but it NEVER feels static). These films are made with such deceptive simplicity.I acknowledge that these films could also be insufferable to watch. My wife and I rewatched the first two just before going to this latest release, and BEFORE SUNRISE feels a smidge pretentious now. I think that has more to do with the fact that I'm also 18 years older. I have less patience for the naiveté of "young love" than I used to. But that also brought home to me that a perfectly legitimate reaction to these films could be boredom or loathing of the characters. But I consider myself lucky to be swept away by all three films...and in my opinion, BEFORE MIDNIGHT is best of the bunch. It's gorgeous to look at. It's richer in themes and content. It features the biggest acting challenges and the most blistering dialogue. It's hopeful (as all the films are), but the hope is the hardest fought and hardest won here. I highly recommend all three films for ADULT viewers...not just because they contain some profane language, but because I can't imagine a child or teen really understanding what these two are blathering on about (or caring). But if you're adult and you've been in love (or are in love) and have any inkling of the complications of being an adult in our world...this film should resonate resoundingly.

Liked the passionate journey of these parents as partners and lovers through the day to day challenges of parenting and life and living while on a getaway in Greece. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke had magnificent chemistry and their supporting actors really added to the story. Well done!

The rocking theme song and title sequence were largely the same as they were in Season One: Shot of Heaton Barbary walking down a cold and greasy-looking street in Philadelphia. Jump cut to Barbary on a sun-drenched beach. Hollywood sign. Surfers. Car burnout. (Different car than S1.) Close-up of a grinning Tim Braddock as Heaton Barbary. Barbary shooting a basketball against light defense on an outdoor court. The ball swishing through the net. A black-clad figure riding a wheelie on a motorcycle. (Motorcycle also new. Now yellow.) Close-up of Bailey Brett-Houston as Rhonda Mix shaking her blond hair out of a motorcycle helmet. Another car burnout. Barbary firing his pistol. Glassy skyscrapers. A business-suited man picking up the phone. Close-up of Harold Pane as Cool Landerman. Barbary running. Waiter setting a viscous green drink in front of Barbary, who is comically wary of it. Car burnout. Ocean Heat logo. Created by Alexander K. Prentiss.

Like many other viewers of this series, I was captivated by the first 2 films (which I would rate 5 stars) and impressed by the entire concept and effort. Even in the 2nd film, I was startled by how visibly Julie Delpy had aged, but the romantic magic was still very much alive and full of promise. However, after viewing the 3rd installment, I have to question whether a 4th episode is a good idea. 'Before Midnight' is too much like real life, wherein the daily grind of work and caring for young kids steals the joy from a relationship and often, as in this case, crushes the dreams and personal ambitions of a woman who devotes most of her time and energy to being a mom. What disturbed me most of all in this 3rd movie (again, I'm not saying it is unrealistic-it is perhaps TOO real), was the argument which took-up the last quarter of the film. That dead look in her eyes made my skin crawl and I've seen it in real life. Once romance has died to that extent (in the eyes of either participant), it ain't likely to come back. Hawke's character valiantly tries to salvage something, but at best, things will never again be quite the same as they once were. Also, when one person starts seeing so many negatives in the other, it is cancer to their partnership. To depict otherwise in a 4th installment, would probably be a lie, but then maybe we need that sort of closure, to finally put the dagger of reality into what began as a inspiring romance and finally end it, with possibly the 2 characters deciding to part? Perhaps a 4th episode is as inevitable as aging and becoming jaded is, in reality? I'm also afraid that seeing them as fifty-something seniors, might be as grotesque and sad as real life? It will require some brilliant writing to give this series a happy ending. Only if Julie overcomes all the international obstacles and realizes her potential, would a happy outcome be possible. However, I am grateful to all the writers, director, actors, and producers who made this series happen. It stands as a unique achievement in storytelling and film making and what they've already accomplished is no less than brilliant. Thanks to my movie critic son, for bringing these films to my attention; they should be known to a wider audience, much like my own books and research.

Je voulais avoir la série complète de cette histoire magnifique.

Der vorläufige Abschluss der Trilogie weitere neun Jahre später: Jesse und Celine haben Zwillinge, leben gemeinsam in Paris. Sohn Hank aus erster Ehe besucht seinen Vater im Sommer, den die Familie in Griechenland auf dem Gut eines befreundeten Schriftstellers verbringt. Jesse hat auch den zweiten Teil der Liebesgeschichte zu einem Roman verarbeitet und viel Geld verdient.Die beiden Liebenden sind nun um die 40 und entsprechend desillusioniert. Insbesondere Celine ist mit vielem nicht zufrieden, fühlt sich überfordert und ausgebeutet. Jesse möchte gerne seinen Sohn öfter sehen, Celine befürchtet, er wolle in die USA zurück.Vor erneut romantischer Kulisse in den Ruinen von Kalamata streiten sich die beiden über eine Stunde lang. Die erbitterten Wortgefechte mit heftigen gegenseitigen Vorwürfen erinnern entfernt an „Wer hat Angst vor Virgina Woolf“, wo Richard Burton gegen Liz Taylor kämpft. Jesse und Celine sitzen am Ende erschöpft in einem Café – und fangen wieder mal von vorne an. Sie haben eine gemeinsame Sprache, es verbindet sie mehr als sie trennt. Sie bleiben offenbar zusammen, vorerst jedenfalls.Der dritte Teil ist sehr anstrengend und nicht so lustig wie die Vorgänger. Wie im Leben sind Jesse und Celine auch im Film in der Wirklichkeit angekommen. Insgesamt ist die Trilogie eine amüsante, aber auch durchaus tiefgründige Auseinandersetzung der Beziehungen zwischen Männern und Frauen.Die Qualität der Bluray ist gut.

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. This movie is part of a trilogy.

l'histoire d'une rupture (sera-t-elle définitive?), interprétée, vécue par un couple d'acteurs parfaits. Ce qui est rare, dans le cinéma d'ajourd'hui même unique, c'est la mise en scène ultra-simple, en plans séquences sans interruptions, sans chichis - et d'autant plus impressionnants et émotionnels. La preuve que "vera vox simplex" !

Questa trilogia, conclusa da Before Midnight, è una perla imperdibile. I dialoghi, le ambientazioni, la musica, i due fantastici attori... tutto contribuisce a dare ai film un'atmosfera e una forza emotiva indimenticabili.Before Midnight rispetto ai primi affronta tematiche più mature: dopo l'eccitazione dell'innamoramento e quella del ritrovarsi, Jesse e Celine devono confrontarsi con la quotidianità, con i problemi che la vita -non solo di coppia- comporta, fare i conti con opportunità che scivolano via e col capire che, a quarant'anni, si è costretti ad accettare compromessi e ridimensionare tanti di quei sogni che dieci o quindici anni prima rendevano il futuro così promettente e lusinghiero.Così come i primi due, anche questo film inizia e finisce all'improvviso, una finestra (sempre troppo breve) aperta sulla vita dei due protagonisti, ormai diventati personaggi reali come due vecchi amici.