Before Midnight

Before Midnight is the third entry in a series of romantic tales, involving transatlantic couple, Jesse and Celine. Each movie in this trilogy has been made approximately nine years apart - and that real time has taken effect on-screen too. This new film and the first in the series took place over a full day and night, while the second was presented in real time - to emphasis the fleeting moments we all share, and the importance of grasping them.

For anyone who is not familiar with the Before series, Jesse and Celines' relationship has evolved thusly;

During a chance encounter on a train in Europe, the two meet. Jesse persuades Celine to leave the train to accompany the american on his last full day and night in Vienna. They fall in love and arrange to meet six months later.

Nine years later Jesse is touring his book, which recounts his and Celines' brief encounter. Celine meets him in Paris (her home town) during his tour - mush to Jesses' surprise! Jesse has two hours before he must depart Paris - giving the two a chance to catch up and reignite their romance. The second film ends on a cliffhanger of sorts, with the suggestion that Jesse is going to miss the departure of his plane by some margin!

Before Midnight sees the two in Greece, coming towards the end of a six-week vacation. They have twin girls and Jesse has a son (by his former wife). His son is returning home to America after enjoying the holidays with his dad and extended family. Jesse and Celine never married themselves, but are committed to one another and their children.

Before Midnight offers up a handful of secondary characters in the first half - a welcome addition to the formula. This could also be interpreted as growth - for both the couple and the series. As our own families grow and our relationships strengthen, shouldn't we be thinking outwardly and about others rather than ourselves?!

The first two films focused on the romanticism of the pair and their passion for one another, despite their brief encounter. This new entry discusses the maintenance of a love affair.

It's clear that Jesse made the move to Paris for Celine - at the expense of leaving his son behind. The movie begins with Celine considering a new job (in Paris still), while Jesse is emotionally unsettled at the prospect of saying goodbye to his son once again.

The pair have much to consider and their conversations are heated at times. No subject can jeopardize their relationship, but their inability to communicate could. Sexual politics is in the air, as the pair struggle to understand each others gender!

As anyone in a long-term relationship can attest, this is a frequent occurrence. This isn't to suggest that any such conversation needs to be malicious of course (they often are)!

Before Midnight is confronting as a result. Jesse and Celines' relationship has intentionally been presented as honest throughout this series - and this new entry is no exception.

Richard Linklater and his stars, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have crafted one of the greatest trilogies of all time here. The Before series is an intimate and candid portrait of two people from different backgrounds meeting, falling in love and choosing to make a life together. We've seen a lot of Europe with this series also - an appropriate backdrop to a mixture of cultures and attitudes!

It's hard to imagine any independent film, romantic or otherwise, spawning two sequels. This series proves that character and script are king. Rather than anticipate another entry, it's been rewarding and somewhat comforting to catch up with these characters intermittently - just like any good friend!
It's been a joy to watch these three at work. To follow this couple over twenty-plus years and to be party to their thought-provoking conversations on love and life. I wonder what the next nine years will bring?!

5/5

Poster image courtesy: www.ropeofsilicon.com