Before Midnight Review

Before Midnight

4 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

In a summer movie season filled with gigantic superhero movies and mega-action blockbusters, we are blessed with a gorgeous romantic drama: Before Midnight. It's such a refreshing change of pace to see a small yet smart film for adults in the summer. And yet, it packs a wallop -- more so than many other films this year.

Before Midnight is the third film in Richard Linklater's wonderful series of films. You don't need to see the previous entries to understand what is happening in this installment. (But to skip the previous entries would be a travesty). However, allow me to give a brief recap of the previous films. SPOILER ALERT. Skip the next two paragraphs if you plan on watching the first two films.

1995's Before Sunrise introduced us to Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), two young people who met on a train and spent one magical night together in Vienna. They discussed life, love, and art. They were drawn to each other's intellect and beauty. The two never exchanged contact info. They promised that they would meet each other in six months in Vienna again, and they parted ways.

In 2004 came Before Sunset. Jesse, a successful author of a book based on his meeting with Celine, traversed on his book tour. At his stop in France, he was shocked to see Celine there. She knew of his book and heard of his guest appearance. In this film, we learn what happened during this nine year gap -- how Jesse went to Vienna, but Celine never showed up. How they had changed over the years, and how their lives turned out to be so different. And yet, there was still a magical spark between the two. The film ends with Jesse missing his plane back to the States in order to be with Celine -- despite him having a wife and child back home.

Another nine years later, we are treated to Before Midnight. Jesse and Celine are together. They are older and wiser. They have two daughters together. The film follows Jesse and Celine in beautiful Greece. It is their last night in this dazzling country, after the two have spent some time there with an aged author and his family. Like the previous films, Before Midnight is filled with endless dialogue. We hear Jesse and Celine interact with their new friends. We hear them converse with each other. And then, the last third of the film is basically a huge argument, with Jesse and Celine's love and relationship pushed to the limits. Throughout this film, Jesse and Celine wonder what makes love last, and what the future might hold.

It's difficult for me to choose a favorite film in this trilogy because they are all so outstanding, but I will say that Before Midnight is probably the best of the bunch. This is a richer, darker, and more challenging film that is filled with emotional resonance. Unlike its predecessors, this film goes to some uncomfortably dark places. At times, it makes you yearn for Before Sunrise's lighthearted whimsy or Before Sunset's quiet romanticism. However, Before Midnight is such a rewarding film. It says so much about true love and adult relationships -- more so than any other film in recent memory.

However, just because Before Midnight is darker than its predecessors doesn't mean that it's lacking its usual humor. This film delivers the laughs and the heart, which helps balance out some of the brutality of the final act.

This trilogy has always been about three things working together perfectly: direction, writing, and acting. Again, Richard Linklater proves his dexterity as a director. He brings forth naturalism and doesn't get in the way of delivering a realistic film that is so human. He's not one of those directors that is trying to show off all his tricks. He chose to shoot some of the film in extremely long takes -- the first car ride scene is a one-take, 15 minute scene that is remarkable.

Linklater co-write this script with Hawke and Delpy, and as usual, the script is a masterclass in writing. The dialogue feels so perfect. It is so precise in its naturalism, and it touches upon so many subjects without getting jumbled or bogged down. It's amazing that the words are so tightly scripted, and yet, they feel so improvised.

One of the reasons why the writing feels so brilliant is because of Hawke and Delpy's performances. They are old pros at making words feel so real -- at making these characters feel like real human beings. We absolutely love Jesse and Celine because of Hawke and Delpy's award-worthy acting. Hawke, with his warmth and heart, makes Jesse such a likable character. And Delpy nails the humor and darkness of the film. These two actor's chemistry is so astounding, and the way that they play off each other is sensational. To act in these films would be so difficult -- reciting lines in single long takes and making them feel natural. However, Hawke and Delpy make it seem easy. 

I don't ever want this series to end. I could easily watch more films about Jesse and Celine because each film is so impeccably done. However, if this truly is the last film in the series, this would be a perfect ending. Before Midnight is a remarkable achievement, a film that I will never forget. If this is the end, it would complete what I believe to be the greatest trilogy in cinematic history. Four stars out of four.